Summer vacations. They’re something that many of us look forward to all year long; whether it’s weekend trips out of town or extended trips that last for days or weeks.
Getaways like these are supposed to be relaxing and rejuvenating. But if you are worrying about things that are going on back at home (like if your home and belongings will be okay while you’re gone) it can be quite the opposite of relaxing. Follow these 5 tips to get peace of mind that your home is safe and secure while you’re away.
1. Remove window mounted AC units.
While most mounted units fit quite snugly once the window is closed down on it, a motivated intruder could still find a way to pry the unit out and climb right in through the open window. So before you head out, take a few minutes to take the unit out of the window and lock it.
2. Lock doors, windows AND garages.
Most of us are in the habit of locking our windows and doors before we are going to be away for an extended period. But do you always remember to lock up your garage? It might not contain as many valuable items as your home; those bikes, lawn tools and other odds and ends items are still common targets for burglars because they are valuable ENOUGH and are quite easy to pawn.
3. Ask friends or neighbors to keep an eye on your home.
Have a trusted friend or neighbor look in on your house periodically while you are away, that way if there is anything amiss; they can alert you or the authorities. Before you head out of town, make sure to give your friend or neighbor a copy of your house key rather than just leaving a copy hidden outside where they (and any potential intruders) can find it.
4. Make it look like you’re home.
One way to deter potential intruders is to create the illusion that your home is occupied (even if you are hundreds of miles away). Having a trusted person coming and going from your home is one way of creating that illusion. Some other things that you can do include:
- Leave a few lights on. Worried about running up your electric bill? Install a timer, so lights are on for only a few hours per day.
- Halt mail deliveries so mail is not spilling out of your mailbox (a dead giveaway that you haven’t been home for a few days).
- Have your trusted friend or neighbor move garbage cans according to your normal schedule.
5. Don’t broadcast that you aren’t going to be home.
You might want to tell every handy man, delivery person, and Facebook friend about your upcoming trip that you are super excited about; it’s probably not the wisest idea to let people know that for days at a time your home will be sitting empty and unprotected. While most likely, nothing will come of you sharing this with the world; you can never be too careful when it comes to your home’s security.
Do you have a vacation home or cabin? Some of these tips, such as:
- Removing window mounted air conditioning units.
- Locking doors, windows and garages
- Having a trusted friend or neighbor check on the property.
Are just as important for the security of your home away from home as they are for your primary residence. Another thing that you can do to provide yourself with peace of mind that your home is safe and secure while you’re away installing a comprehensive security system that can be monitored and controlled from your smartphone or tablet. The ProSeries system from Honeywell Home allows you to do that and so much more!