It’s finally time for a vacation, and boy do you need it. But how exactly are you supposed to relax, unwind, and leave your cares behind if you’re worried about the security of your home?
Here are some home security tips when you are on vacation.
Enlist a Trusted Neighbor
Remember how your mom or grandma always kept a spare key under the doormat or above the doorframe? Yeah… don’t do that. This is because it just increases the likelihood of someone breaking into your home, forcing you to hire a locksmith on your return so the locks can be changed. Instead, find a neighbor you trust or a friend who lives close by and give them a spare key, just in case you need them to access your home for you while you’re away.
Hide Valuables Creatively
Safe behind a picture in the bedroom? That might be the first place a burglar looks. Get more imaginative by hiding valuables in kitchen cabinets, bathroom cupboards, the bottom of the toy box, or in the dog’s bed (although that won’t protect anything from fire damage).
Remember, Nothing is more secure than a solid steel, fire-proof, water resistant, solid bolt safe securely fastened to a concrete floor. Few thief’s will have the tools to remove the safe or get into the safe.
Keep Your Daily Services Active
Enlist a friend or relative to gather mail, newspapers, and packages, or cancel service for the time you’re gone since seeing things pile up can alert a thief to your absence. You might also ask a friend or neighbor to park in your driveway periodically and hire someone to keep mowing your lawn.
Hire a House Sitter
If you know a trustworthy sitter who’d consider a stay in your home something like a vacation, it can be a win/win situation. Hire them to live in your home and keep an eye on it while you’re gone. If you don’t want them to live in your home, hire them to make two or three trips per day to open p the house and check things out. If you have pets, they can also serve as a pet sitter, which means you won’t have to board your cat or dog.
Don’t Announce Your Departure
Don’t post on social media about your trip-ultimately broadcasting your home’s vulnerability-until you return. It can be exciting flying off in a private jet (see more on Jettly), but save shocking your friends until you get back! You can share to your heart’s content once you’re home from your adventure. If you really must share, ensure you’re only corresponding with a small group of close friends.
Install a Home Security System
The best way to guarantee peace of mind about your home is to install a home security system. In addition to alarms that trigger if one of your home’s entries is breached, the right system will offer you remote viewing of your property (even at night), allow you to control temperatures and switch lights off and on, and generally create the appearance that the home is occupied. Some systems permit you to provide and change entry codes for guests who will enter while you’re away. Many newer systems include cameras which you can remotely pan, tilt, and view on any of your smart devices that can receive a data signal. You can also add security gates, security screen doors, or temporary fence panels with the help of a professional fence contractor to have extra protection for your property. If you want something permanent, then you may consider adding chain link fencing with the help of a professional chain link fencing contractor to your backyard.
Install Smart Home Devices
You can install WiFi light switches that you can turn on any light from anywhere you are vacationing. You can install WiFi plugs to turn on lamps from anywhere. You can install door and window sensors that immediately send you notifications if a breech has occurred. Smart cameras can allow you to monitor your home from anywhere in the world.
Rest easy, your home is protected.
Plano Texas Handyman is the local expert on protecting your home with a smart home security system, We install wired and wireless cameras, door and window sensors, room cameras, water sensors and most anything that will monitor your home while your away and view them real time on your smart device. Call today at 214-507-3415 or visit our website for more details on all our capabilities.
Article reprinted from Plano Living magazine