Ten Ways to Keep Your Home Safe During Your Vacation

Nothing ruins a lovely vacation like returning to a home that has been burglarized! Some of these hints are good things to do even if you are home every night, but are especially important when you are away for an extended amount of time.

1. Use timers to turn inside and outside lights on and off. Set several in your home, to mimic real life. One in each room downstairs at dusk, and one or two in the bedrooms later in the evening are advisable.

2. Have your lawn mowed or your sidewalks shoveled while you are away. Ask family or a good friend, if possible.

3. Stop your newspapers and mail delivery. It’s better to stop delivery than to have a neighbor take care of it. And don’t tell the newspaper and postal service you are going on vacation.

4. Lock ALL your windows – including basement and second floor. Yes, windows can be broken, but most thieves look for the easiest route.

5. Have deadbolt locks installed on all outside doors; padlock basement entries. Most thieves will not break in the front door – they prefer to keep a low profile!

6. Keep plants trimmed back around entrances. This not only makes it harder for thieves to break in unnoticed; it also eliminates a hiding place for would-be attackers.

7. Have good lighting at all entrances. Again, this protects you personally, as well as your belongings.

8. Make sure your garage door is locked. This is a really easy way to get into your house.

9. Remove any house keys you have hidden outside. You may think you have them well-hidden, but thieves are experts at finding them.

10. Do not put your vacation plans or pictures on social media. Save this for after you get home.

Some of these suggestions are vacation-specific, but many are good ideas in general. Keeping outside entrances well-lit and highly visible, installing solid locks on all doors and windows, and making sure basements and garages are securely locked are important to the safety of you and your family. Well worth the time and effort.

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