Vacation Home Security Checklist
Going on Vacation? Check Out Our Home Security Checklist Before You Leave
Vacations are supposed to be a time to relax, let your hair down and enjoy time with your family and friends. In order to truly enjoy your time away from home, it’s important to ensure that your home will be safe and secure while you’re gone.
Luckily, securing your home doesn’t have to be a major undertaking. With a little planning and forethought, you’ll be able to relax while you’re away knowing that everything will be as you left it.
Lock up
This may seem like a no-brainer, but locking all your doors and windows is the first step to ensuring your home is secure while you’re on vacation. Before you leave for your adventure, check and double-check all of your doors — including your sliding glass patio doors — and windows.
Hide Your Valuables
As an added layer of security, ensure that your most important and irreplaceable items are tucked away. If you have a safe, put all your jewelry, cash and important items in there for safe keeping. This makes it difficult for a potential burglar to find or access your most valuable items, even if they gain access to your home. Beyond securing the important items, make sure nothing that appears expensive can be seen through nearby windows. A good way to avoid this is to draw the blinds or curtains so nobody can see inside your home.
Don’t Overshare
In our social media-focused world, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of your upcoming vacation. But sharing that you’ll be out of town can be dangerous, as it lets people know that your home will be unoccupied during your absence. Instead of sharing your amazing vacation photos while you’re away, save them for later so you can post them when you’re already back home.
Unplug the Unnecessary
Beyond keeping your home secure from unwanted visitors, you’ll also want to make sure there are no potential fire hazards. To avoid this, it’s wise to unplug any electronics that you won’t be using while you’re away. Not only will this lower your chances of a potential fire, but it’ll also shave a bit off your electricity bill as well.
Keep the Lights On
One thing you shouldn’t unplug before you leave home are the lights. While you’re away enjoying your vacation, you’ll want to make it seem like you’re still at home. A pitch-dark home won’t give off that impression. Keeping a few choice lights on scattered around your home will keep it looking occupied. If possible, add a few timers to your lights so they’ll switch on at various times to make it look like someone is always there. Motion detector lights mounted outdoors will also deter any potential burglars from paying your home a visit.
Don’t Cancel the Gardener
If you plan on leaving for an extended amount of time, it’s wise to keep up on your home maintenance while you’re away. An unkempt house looks like an easy target. If you usually have a gardener come by to maintain your yard, keep them coming. And even if you don’t usually hire a landscaper, you may consider employing one while you’re away if you’re going to be gone longer than a couple of weeks.
Hold Your Mail
One surefire way to let people know you’re out of town is an overflowing mailbox or a driveway piled with newspapers. While you’re on vacation, hold your mail and newspaper so that deliveries won’t build up. Another option is asking a neighbor or friend pick up your mail for you while you’re away.
Stash the Keys
It’s never wise to have a hide-a-key stashed in your yard. Most thieves know to look for fake rocks and other decorative hiding spaces, and you don’t want to give someone immediate access to your home. Rather than hiding a key, give a spare to a trusted friend, family member or neighbor in case of an emergency.
Lock the Garage
A garage can be the easiest way to access a home, both with and without an opener. While
you’re away, lock your garage door if possible, or if you can’t, consider disabling the garage door opener.
Get a House Sitter
An occupied home is far less likely to be burglarized than an unoccupied one. While you’re out of town, a house sitter will reside in your home and help keep it secure. By hiring a house sitter, you’ll rest assured knowing that your home is being watched over.
Install a Monitoring System
Investing in a home security system is one of the best ways to ensure your home is safe and secure, both when you’re home and while you’re away. From remote monitoring to glass break technology,home automation and more, a home security system from Smith Thompson will give you the ultimate gift: peace of mind. Chat with a home security expert today to determine what kind of system is best for your home, and then embark on your next vacation with confidence that your home is secure.
