When you are about to go away on vacation, there always seems to be a dozen things that need to be done. Yes, you’re going to relax when you get there, but getting ready to go can be anything but calm. In particular, there are things you can be doing to protect your property in your absence. If people can tell your home is empty for a few days or more, you’re more likely to experience a break-in or robbery. The following will explore some of the things you can do to protect your home while you’re on vacation.
It is vital to note that if you have a particular reason to believe your home has been targeted for a crime, you need to report this to the authorities. Preventative measures can only do so much in terms of protection. If someone is determined to get into your home specifically, law enforcement should be notified so that they can assist you in keeping your home and family safe.
Conduct An Audit
It’s hard to know what sort of protective measures you need to take when you don’t know what your security standards are. Take some time to conduct an audit—examine your doors, windows, lighting, and other security features and figure out what’s working and what’s easy to workaround. If you don’t know what to look for, you can always reach out to local security professional. They will walk you through your home, pointing out any areas where there is space for improvements. You can also watch online videos or read articles on what to look for.
Don’t Post On Social Media
One of the easiest ways to advertise that your home is empty for the holidays is to be posting on your Instagram or Facebook about your vacation. It’s often way easier than you think to figure out where someone lives from their social media posts alone. This means that you might accidentally be informing criminals of the perfect home to rob. Of course, you can take photos of your vacation and share them, but wait until you get home to post your images and videos. This will help reduce the chances that a whole bunch of people are aware that your home is empty.
Install A Security System
One of the best things you can do to ensure that your home is safer while you’re on vacation (and when you return) is by finding and installing a security system. Take some time to research the options available in order to determine which sort of system might work well with your home. To get some ideas, see the best home security systems at SFGate.com. Once you understand how many different options there are, you should be able to find something that works with your budget and particular concerns.
Ask Friends Or Neighbours For Help
Things like a driveway filled with snow and a mailbox that’s overflowing with flyers can indicate to passersby that no one is home. This makes a home look particularly empty and inviting for burglars. To remedy this, speak to friends, neighbors, or family members and see if someone can stop by the house and pick up your mail or deal with the driveway. This will help keep up the appearances that someone is home. Now that you know how helpful this is, it’s a lovely thing to offer to do for friends and family who are leaving on vacation when you’re staying in town. Developing a reciprocal relationship where everyone is looking out for everyone else improves everybody’s safety.
Leave A Car In The Driveway
One of the best deterrents for crime is the illusion that someone is home and, in particular, a car in the driveway indicates this. If you can plan it so that your vehicle stays home, this can help keep curious burglars away from your home. Burglars who were caught and spent time in jail who participated in a questionnaire about what deterred them most from home cited a car in the driveway as number one, followed by dogs and the sound of music or the television playing inside. Burglars don’t want to enter a home when someone is there.
Make It Hard For Crime To Happen In Secret
Things like thick shrubs, privacy walls, closed curtains, and darkness all help hide suspicious activity. This means that your home is more enticing to someone looking to commit an illegal act as there’s less chance someone driving by or living across the street will see what they’re up to. If you have motion-detecting lights, well-trimmed shrubs, trees, and bushes, and curtains or blinds that are open, you’re deterring crime. You’re making it harder for someone to enter your home unnoticed. Contrary to popular belief, burglars like to play it safe.
Don’t Advertise Wealth
In today’s hyper-competitive world, there can be a lot of pressure to show off your wealth. You might feel the need to take photos of that name-brand purse or the engagement ring and share them on social media. You might want to show off your new shoes and coat. These sorts of messages are letting people know that if they were to enter your home, there’s a good chance they’ll find something of value.
Be aware that one of the most sought-after items for burglars is guns, as these can be sold for quite a lot. Don’t advertise that you’re part of a gun club or post hunting photos or stick a pro-gun bumper sticker onto your car. This actually increases the chances that someone might try your home. Many people believe that guns are a deterrent, and in some places where everyone has a gun, this is the case (hello, Texas), but in places where guns are rare, they become particularly valuable on the black market.
The above tips should help you reduce your chances of having your home messed with while you’re on vacation. Many of them will also carry forward once you’ve returned home and kept you and your household safer throughout the year. It is absolutely critical that you listen to your gut feelings; if you feel unsafe, you should reach out to the authorities and take appropriate measures until feelings of safe return. Humans are intuitive animals, and so we’re excellent at sensing when something is suspiciously out of place.