You’ve most likely waited a long time to be able to kick back and relax on your vacation, whether it is a solo-venture to the Alps, a tropical adventure with a few friends, or a cozy cabin family affair. The last thing you want to worry about is the safety of your home and possessions while you are trying to get away from the stresses of everyday life. Here are a few things you can do to assure your home’s safety while you are away on vacation.
- Don’t post about your vacation on social media
One of the most dangerous things you can do in the age of information and technology is to announce your vacation plans and/or whereabouts on social media. This includes Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and the rest. There are people who surf these social media websites looking specifically for homes they can rob while the owners are away. The best thing to do is to enjoy your time away and to post about it after the fact if you must, with a clear caption that the vacation has ended and that you are back at home.
- Let your alarm company know
Notifying your alarm company that you will be away is a wise step to take, especially because they can be particularly vigilant about anything detected on the property by your home security systems. The best way to keep your property and belongings safe is to keep them updated.
- Secure your valuables
If you have a safe and it can fit your valuables, a great option is to store them there until you return from your journey. Another fairly new option in the security tech world is to attach a device to the specific item that will notify the security company if it has been touched, shifted, or lifted and taken away.
- Lock Doors and Windows
This might seem obvious, but packing and preparing for a trip can be nerve-wracking. Make sure you’ve addressed every door and window, including any interior ones with precious items in them.
- Stop Mail and Newspaper Delivery
Nothing notifies a robber quicker to a break-in opportunity like mail piling up in a mailbox or on the porch. Be sure to contact your post office and ask them to halt delivery until the date you return, when you can pick up the vacation-time mail there and request that they resume delivery. This goes for your newspaper as well, if you still subscribe to a paper one.
- Set timed interior lights
If the lights are off for multiple days at a time, this is a big signal that no one is home. If you don’t want to simply leave the lights on for the duration of your trip and waste electricity, consider investing in something that will allow you to set timers to the interior lights in order to deter people from casing and choosing your home as a target.