What You Can Do to Protect Your Home When You Go On Vacation
Summer means school is out and you’re ready for a vacation! Now is a good time to review what we can do to help ensure that our homes are safe and everything is in place for our return.
What to do Before you leave!
~DO NOT announce on social media where you are going. DO NOT post photos of where you are while you are gone.
Make sure that your social media crazy kids do not post your whereabouts as well.
It’s like telling thieves…WE’RE GONE!
~If you’re expecting packages, ask a neighbor or friend to pick them up before the porch pirates do. Delivery services can notify you of a delivery.
~Video doorbells and security cameras. While some find these intrusive, I like knowing what’s happening when I’m not home. With a Ring Doorbell, for example, you can see and record who’s at the door. Security cameras can alert and record activity.
~LIGHTS…thieves don’t want to be in the spotlight so have outdoor lights that will shine brightly either at a set time or when motion is detected.
There are smart plugs and sockets now that make it easy for the lights inside your home to go on and off to a realistic schedule.
~Papers and Mail…Have a friend, relative or neighbor pick up your mail or papers. The fewer people who know we’ll be gone, the better, so I’d rather not rely on the Post Office, etc to know that I’m gone.
~Secure your valuables…this should be done even if you’re not out of town, but why make it easy for a thief? Get a safe or entrust a relative…just don’t leave your valuables out.
~Don’t have your lawn announce that you’re gone.
Make sure that your service is keeping everything in order. If you do your own lawn, mow before you go!