Christmas is around the corner and you might have planned for your long vacation alone or with your family. But have you planned to keep your home safe while you are away for your vacation? This is one of the most important things to do before you leave your home. To get this done, you must fix the doors, locks, and windows, get a security device, etc.
During the holiday season, there is a rise in the crime rate in different cities. Therefore, people are always advised by law enforcement agencies to take the necessary measures to keep themselves and their home safe from burglars and report any suspicious activities and people around them. Before leaving your home, make sure that you have taken the following preventive measures and keep your family and property safe while you are away.
Install a Camera or Security Device
These devices are your first line of defense to keep your home safe around the clock. You can get these devices from Amazon and other online stores at a very affordable price. These devices are equipped with high-end security features and can be installed easily. Besides this, users can also view live footage of their homes/rooms from any location once they connect to the internet.
Many security devices and cameras send notifications/alerts to homeowners and law enforcement agencies if there is a suspicious person or movement within their range.
Lock Away Tools and Other Equipment Carefully
If you have tools, ladders, and gardening equipment in your garage, make sure that you lock them safely in your tool shed. Burglars can use different tools in your home/garage to break windows, pick locks, and for other nefarious purposes. Besides this, if you have a ladder standing outside your home, it becomes an open invitation for burglars and provides them easy access to the upper floors and rooms in the house.
Remove Spare Keys
You must have thought of a very clever place to hide your spare key. For instance, you might want to hide your keys under a fake rock in the driveway, under the flowerpot, or above the doorframe. There is a high chance that a skilled criminal will scout your home and check every possible spot where you can hide your key. It is a good idea to remove your spare keys before you leave and hand them over to a neighbor or someone you trust.
Make Sure You Unplug All Appliances before Leaving
Make sure you have unplugged all unnecessary and non-programmable appliances in your home including your TV, coffee maker, and other non-programmable appliances. Also, make sure that your smoke alarms are working and that you have a fire extinguisher placed at a very convenient location. You can ask a friend or neighbor to look after your home and make sure that all the unnecessary lights and equipment are switched off at all times.
Take Help from a Friend or Neighbor
When you are leaving for your trip, you can ask someone in your friends’ circle and neighborhood to look after your home when you are away on vacation. They can keep an eye on your home and check/recheck everything to prevent a breach in your home. You can ask them to receive mail and parcels on your behalf and keep them safe.
Also, you can ask them to take your car out and park it in the driveway for some time so that burglars and other malicious elements know that people are at home. You can also ask them to use your TV and Internet at your home for a while and make it seem like the house is not vacant.
Be Careful When You Are Using Social Media
You can share the details of your trip and location with a family member or a trusted family member who knows about your trip and its duration. There is no need to upload pictures and public posts about your trip. This can help prevent criminals from knowing where you are and the duration of your trip. Keep your posts private or visible to your trusted friends and family only.
Lock Your Garage before Leaving
Your garage is one of the first places thieves and other criminals can head to and gain access to an unlimited number of things they can steal. Also, they can get access to your tools and other heavy equipment that can help them break into your home and steal whatever they can. You can lock your garage, hand over car keys to a friend/neighbor, and store different tools and other equipment in a secure space in your home.
Conclusion
There are many ways to keep your home safe while you are away on your vacation. In the current age of technology, there are so many cameras and smart other surveillance devices to secure your home and family members and have the peace of mind you need for your trip. Apart from that, you can ask your friends and family to look after your home while you are away or ask a house-sitting service provider in your area.
