Five Tips for Keeping Your Home Safe and Secure While You’re on Vacation

Going on vacation is supposed to bring a sense of relaxation. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. You may be laying on the beach soaking in the rays of the sun, but your mind may be back at home wondering if you turned off the stove before you left.

Don’t get stuck worrying about how safe and secure your home is when you should be relaxing on vacation! Take the time before you leave to follow these tips and you won’t worry about what’s going on at home while you’re away.

Have a Plan for Mail and Packages

Package theft is a real problem, even if you aren’t on vacation. Porch pirates can steal packages from your front doorstep while you’re at work and while you’re sleeping, but they are especially likely to steal your packages when you’re on vacation.

Have a plan for your packages, and make sure you have a plan for your mail too. Ask a friend or family member to stop by and pick up your mail every day. Keep an eye on the delivery status of your packages and have a neighbor pick them up as soon as they are delivered. Even better, hold off on ordering packages two weeks before you go on vacation, or have them delivered to someone else’s house while you’re gone.

Take Pictures Before You Leave

It doesn’t matter if you walked through your house before you left, checking to make sure everything is just as it should be. Chances are, there’s going to be at least one thing you think you forgot to do before you left. Sometimes it’s something as minor as taking the laundry out of the dryer. Sometimes, it’s something more serious, like leaving a candle burning.

Do yourself a favor and take photos throughout your home before you leave. That way, you have photographic proof that you did everything on your list to keep your home safe and secure.

Some household items to take pictures of include:

        ·        Knobs on the stove

        ·        Unplugged hair straightener

        ·        Locked windows

        ·        Unplugged appliances and electronics

        ·        Closed garage door

Leave a Car in the Driveway

Most thieves are selective about the houses they burglarize. If the driveway is empty, and normally there are cars at home, it’s a good sign that they can break in and no one will know.

An easy way to make it look like people are coming and going from your home is to ask your neighbors to use your driveway. Instead of parking in their driveway, they can park in yours for at least a portion of the day, which will give your home the appearance that there are people coming and going.

Have Someone Care for Your Property While You’re Gone

Making it look like there’s someone home where there isn’t is made easier when the neighbors park their car in your driveway, but it’s also important to have someone take care of your property while you’re gone if you want it to look like you’re home.

If you’re going to be gone for longer than a week, make sure someone mows your lawn. Lend someone a key and let them come inside and turn on different lights every day. They can also help you take care of animals and water plants.

If you really want to make it look like someone is home, consider hiring a house sitter. Knowing someone is taking care of your home while you’re gone can bring you the peace of mind you need to relax while you’re away.

Stay Away From Social Media

Social media can be a great way to connect with friends and family, but there are things you shouldn’t share on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Your vacation is one of those things.

Do not announce your plans and don’t post pictures while you’re gone. The majority of burglaries are done by someone we are acquainted with, and if you’re posting things online, those people will know you aren’t home and take advantage of the opportunity. Wait until your vacation is over and you have returned home before you say anything about your trip on social media.

Don’t rush out the door at the last minute when you go on vacation. If you do, you are likely to be worried and stressed about your house while you’re gone! Take the time in the hours and days ahead of your vacation to follow these tips for peace of mind while you’re away from home.