A Guide to Keeping Your Home Safe When You’re On Vacation

It’s very common for people to vacation for a few days, weeks or even months at a time; but there is one thing that is left behind when we go far away from home. This one thing is our house and all of the things in it. For some of us leaving the house for vacation is the biggest event of the year and we don’t think about how we can keep our home safe while we are gone. It’s important to understand that many times people who go on vacation don’t leave anyone behind to watch their belongings and houses. This article will offer some helpful tips for protecting your home when you are on vacation, so if you are planning on leaving your home unoccupied for an extended period of time, it’s important to read the following article.

Install an alarm system

You may be comfortable with leaving your home unoccupied when you're not there, but according to statistics, you should not be. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, every year over 500,000 robberies in the United States are reported in homes and businesses that were vacant.

That’s why we recommend installing an alarm system—There are several different types of systems designed for residential security. You can choose one that suits your needs and fits within your budget. If you have a small home or apartment, a wireless system may be all you need to protect it while you're away; if you have a larger home or business, a wired system might be better. Some systems will alert the police (or fire department) if they detect unusual activity; others will alert a monitoring service that will contact the police for you.

Regardless of which type of system you choose, make sure the company is reputable and licensed to sell and install alarms in your area and go with a company that has been in business for several years (to ensure dependability).

Don't advertise when you're out of town

A group called the Association of British Insurers conducted a study in 2005 and found that burglars specifically target homes that appear to be unoccupied. The longer you stay away, the more likely that is to happen.

If you're going on vacation, one of the best ways to keep your home safe is to avoid advertising that you're away. It's not foolproof, but it's better than most of the alternatives.

If you've put up a sign asking people to leave their packages on the porch because you'll be out of town, take it down or change it.

Certainly don't put your vacation plans on social media; many thieves will check Facebook and Twitter to find out which of their victims are out of town.

Consider using a camera system to track comings and goings

Hidden security cameras are a great burglar deterrent, and there are even hidden wireless cameras that can send alerts to your smartphone if motion is detected. If you're going out of town during the holiday season, your house will be empty for hours each day as packages and gifts arrive and delivery people make their rounds.

An intruder who sees a security camera is less likely to break in, because he'll know that the police will be able to use the video recordings to identify him.

Video surveillance can also help you find out whether your home was broken into when you were away. A motion sensor triggers the camera whenever someone enters your home or approaches your door. The camera can be set to send you an email or text message when someone walks by unexpectedly. The video footage could help you prove that burglars broke into your home or determine whether children or pets opened a door or window.

When choosing a video surveillance system, it's important to consider how much control you want over viewing and recording the footage. Some systems allow you to record footage on a hard drive inside your home or upload it to an online server for viewing from anywhere with an Internet connection. If the system has wireless capabilities, you can place cameras virtually anywhere without needing to run wire between them and your computer.

Ask a close friend or family member to pick up mail and paper

When you're on vacation, it's important to make sure that your home doesn't appear to be vacant. Before you leave, ask a close friend or family member to pick up mail and paper from the doorstep on a regular basis. Have them check your house for any signs of trouble while they’re there, such as a broken window or a door left ajar. Have them take in your mail and newspaper so that burglars can't see evidence that you're out-of-town.

Burglars have been known to stake out homes for extended periods of time before making an attempt on the premises. If your home looks occupied, they may choose to move on to another location.

Meet your neighbors and get them involved in your security plan

Meet with your neighbors and tell them about your vacation plans before you leave. If your neighbors know that you're going to be away, they'll be more likely to report suspicious activity at the house. They can even use your driveway to park their cars if they know that you'll be away for a few weeks. If you pay them to watch over the house, it's important to make sure they understand how important it is to not let anyone in without proper identification.

The more people who are involved, the better security will be. And the more you involve your neighbors, the safer you will feel when you are away.

In Conclusion: Have a Plan

There are several ways you can keep your home safe when you go on vacation, but the most important thing is to create a game plan before the family leaves––and stick to it.

Going on vacation is a time to relax and have fun. But in order for this to happen, you need to have a plan in place before you leave so that your home is safe while you’re gone. Otherwise, it will be a stressful experience when you get back. So if you want to enjoy your vacation, be sure to take some time to create a security plan.