Safe and secure
How to protect your house while you travel
Your bags are all packed and it’s almost time to hit the road. But, before you head out on your next adventure, it’s important to make sure that your home will be safe and secure on its own.
To avoid any unwanted guests, there are basic precautions to take that will help to protect your home and property.
You can’t control everything, but here are a few things that you should do before leaving your house for an extended period of time. Your home will be much safer—and your mind more at ease—than if you did nothing at all.
10 ways to safeguard your home from burglary
Don't let your house look empty.
Setting interior and exterior lights on timers will go a long way in deterring burglars. You can also set the television (or radio) on a timer to create noise and flickering lights, and leave a car parked in the driveway to help create the illusions that people are home.
If it’s possible, set-up wireless security cameras to monitor your home 24/7. Smart home security systems, such as Arlo, send motion alerts and capture clips that you receive and check from the app on your phone. They are also economical, easy to install, and weatherproof.
Don't broadcast your plans.
Think twice about posting detailed vacation plans on social media—like Facebook. Even if you think that it's only your friends or colleagues viewing your online profiles, it's best not to leave any sort of opening for burglars.
Sharing settings aren’t foolproof, and with new security updates it’s always hard to tell what’s public and what’s private. Stay on the safe side, and don’t mention your trip until get back and upload the photos!
Ask a friend for help.
An easy way to gain peace of mind while out of town is to ask a friend, or trusted neighbour, to keep an eye on your house. Give them a key and ask that they check in every few days. They should also have your contact information and a copy of your itinerary in case of an emergency.
If you don’t have a garage, it’s also important to leave a spare car key if your vehicle needs to be moved.
Alert your alarm company.
If you have an automatic security system in place, call your company to let them know that you'll be away from home for an extended period of time. Make sure the alarm is set properly when you leave.
Secure your valuables.
If you don't already have your jewelry and important paperwork secured in a safe or safety deposit box, it’s the perfect time to do so. It’s also a good idea to make sure that you don’t leave out anything valuable that a burglar could see from a window.
Hold the mail.
A mountain of mail and newspapers on your front doorstep is tell-tale sign that the house is empty, so place a hold on your mail and newspaper deliveries while you’re out of town. You could also have them regularly picked up by a friend or neighbour.
Arrange for regular yard care.
An unruly lawn is as bad as a pile of mail. Schedule to have your lawn mowed and your plants watered by a friendly neighbour or a local service. Before you leave, trim any tree branches that could allow access to a climbing burglar.
If you’re going to be away during the winter months, make sure that you hire someone to shovel the driveway and sidewalk.
Remove the hidden key(s).
Collect any spare keys that you have hidden around the exterior of your home. Burglars are aware of popular hiding places, like under door mats and the base of potted plants.
Secure the garage.
Technology can be easily hacked by experienced or motivated criminals, so it’s a good idea to be proactive and disengage your garage door opener, and opt for a manual lock when you’re out of town.
Unplug.
You never when a power surge will occur, so prepare your home and disconnect all unnecessary appliances. This goes for TVs, computers, the stereo and other electronics, as well as small appliances like coffee makers, microwaves, and toaster ovens.
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It might seem obvious, but it’s always a good idea to double-check that you’ve locked all doors and windows. With all the excitement that comes with travel, it’s easy to forget!