Whether lounging on the beach, hanging at an amusement park, or exploring a new city, one thing is for certain: while traveling, you’ll feel better knowing things back home are safe and secure. Before taking off, check out these safety tips for spring breakers and amp up the security of your home.
Because on vacation, the only thing you should worry about is reapplying sunscreen.
An empty home is an easy target
A pile of mail, a driveway covered in snow, and always-unlit windows are clear indicators of an unoccupied home. A clearly unoccupied home is an easy target for burglars, as 88% of burglaries are unplanned. Empty homes make easy grabs for opportunists. For this reason, recruiting a friend, family member, or trusted neighbor to look after your home while you’re away can help protect what matters most.
Studies report 62% of home burglaries occur during daylight hours. This is the time of day when homes are most commonly empty. Making it appear as though there is activity at your home is a trusted burglar deterrent. While you’re soaking up the sun, ask a designated caretaker to:
- Collect and hold all mail, protecting your information
- Clear your walkway/driveway in the event of snow
- Keep an eye out for unexpected activity around the home
If allowing this individual access inside, ask them to leave on the occasional light, simulating indoor activity.
Spring breakers vs. spring break-ins
Even before loading your luggage, there are steps you can take to protect your home, and the belongings in it:
- Ensure all doors and windows are locked
- Close the curtains–open curtains put your valuables on display
- Consider leaving a vehicle in the driveway (though empty it of personal belongings, first)
- Never hide a spare key–any hiding place you have thought of, an intruder has, too
If the person watching over your home requires inside access, provide them with a key directly.
Modern security technology also allows for keyless entry points. These devices are part of a comprehensive smart home system, which additionally, allows for remote connectivity. With smart home door locks, garage door openers, and other devices, you can grant your caretaker access from afar, and monitor the state of your home, even while out of state.
Social media as a home security hazard
When traveling, you may be tempted to post destination details on your social platforms, or to widely share your plans. Posting that vacation photo on Facebook, Instagram, or other social sites, however, tells your followers, “Hey! My home is empty!” Would you announce this anywhere else? Most likely, the answer is no.
Instead of sharing vacation plans ahead of time or while away, post your memories after returning home. We promise–your audience will be just as excited to see your travel in hindsight. If you do post travel info on social media, revisit your privacy settings to limit these posts to friends only. Even then, consider refreshing your followers/friends list to clean out dated contacts.
Monitored home security: 24/7 protection
The above steps will certainly boost the security of your home, but ultimately, the best way to ensure your home is how you left it when you return, is to invest in a monitored safety system. Monitored safety systems feature reactive devices, such as door contacts, which alarm when a protected door is breached, motion detectors, glassbreak detectors, and more. When triggered, this safety system sends a signal to a designated monitoring center, such as EPS Security’s Monitoring Center, located in Grand Rapids, MI. Here, dedicated professionals respond to alarm signals and dispatch authorities when needed.
Home safety systems protect against more than just theft. A comprehensive system with EPS Security can safeguard your home from fire and environmental risks, such as flooding or power loss. When your alarm sounds, EPS Security’s team of award-winning, Monitoring Center Operators will notify you of the activity, and if needed, send local the police or fire department with urgency.
The EPS Monitoring Center never takes vacation. We operate 24/7/365 so you can sit back and relax!
The EPS advantage
EPS Security offers protection you can count on. For more than 65 years, our company has installed advancing security technology in Michigan homes. Our team works with Michiganders one-on-one to address each homeowner’s specific security needs. Protecting what matters most, is what we do best. In the company of palm trees or cityscapes, consider a comprehensive home safety system before your next get-away.