What should you do to secure your home while you’re on vacation? This may be common knowledge to some people but if you haven’t traveled in a while or very much, it could be overwhelming to think about. There is so much to do! Here are my tips to help make the process easier.
- Buy and set automatic timers for lights. Automatic timers are a very cost effective way to deter criminals. I got a pack of 2 on Amazon for less than $15.
- Hold your mail or have your neighbor pick it up for you.
- Unplug devices to protect from power surges. I don’t mean everything, but things that are easy to get to. I unplug unused lamps, diffusers, small appliances (air fryer, toaster, etc.), things like that.
- Turn off the water, especially if you have anything that is prone to potentially leak. I turn off the water to my refrigerator because it has leaked before and I don’t want to take any chances.
- Talk to your neighbors and ask them to keep an eye on your property while you’re gone. Leave them a spare key if you feel comfortable doing so. Make sure they have your phone number. I have had a situation where a neighbor needed to get in touch with me and couldn’t. It was probably two days before I got the information I needed. Lesson learned.
- Close your blinds and/or curtains. Make it harder for people to be able to see inside.
- Hide valuables and/or keep them in a lockbox.
- Make sure your doors and windows are locked. Check and double check!
- If you have a security company, notify them about your trip and let them know how long you’ll be away. Also let them know if you will have someone going in to check on things.
- If you will be gone long, hire someone to mow your yard and take care of things outside.
- Keep a car in the driveway. If you don’t have an extra car to leave, ask a neighbor to park their car in your driveway. Make it look like someone is home.
Anything you can do to make it look like someone is home is good. Its always better to be safe than sorry. If you’re not comfortable leave your house completely unattended, hire a housesitter that you trust.
