Simone Spotlight | Security Measures to take when on Vacation

Simone Spotlight | Security Measures to take when on Vacation

JULY 17th

Going on vacation is super exciting. Now that it is all booked up and paid for, your bags are packed, and you are headed to the airport, can you be sure that you have taken enough steps to protect your home while you are away?

Putting in place a few extra security measures while your house is empty will give you extra peace of mind and allow you to fully enjoy your long-awaited break.

Invest in a Monitored Security System

This should be your first line of defense for your home security. Many homeowners choose to invest in smart security systems. These are entirely effective when you have access to your cell phone, but if you are heading somewhere remote or want to leave your phone at home, monitored home security systems offer an extra layer of protection.

By installing sensors in your home, the security system will be able to detect movement or if your doors or windows are opened. This will activate an alarm that not only notifies neighbors but will also send a message to your alarm company which will alert the police if there is a breach.

Put a Pause on Your Mail Deliveries

An overflowing doormat is a sure sign of an empty property. While you are away, you could have a trusted friend or neighbor pop in to pick up your letters and any junk mail.

You can stop your mail carrier from coming for a short period of time by simply visiting the USPS website and filling in a short form online. They will stop mail from being delivered to your address and hold it for you until you get back.

Have Someone Keep an Eye on Your Empty Home

If you have a friend, family member, or neighbor that you trust, ask them to drop into your home on a regular basis to ensure that everything is in order. They should be able to attend every few days or so, and be able to go inside to check back doors, windows, and any other entrances.

Set a Timer for Your Electronics

You can keep your house looking lived in, no matter how far away you are, by setting a timer for your lights, lamps, TV, and radios. You can order timers online or pick them up in your local hardware or grocery store. By placing them in your regular sockets, you simply need to plug in your electronics and set the timer to tell each appliance when to come on.

Keep Your Lawn Mowed

If you have a front yard, easily accessible backyard, or other outside space, it may well be worth asking a friend or neighbor to mow your lawn for you. Unkempt, overgrown gardens, yards, and lawn areas are a tell-tale sign of an empty house.

Keep Tools and Ladders Locked Away

Make sure you tuck everything out of sight before you travel. Ladders are an invitation for would-be burglars to attempt access via upper floors, while other tools can be used to pick locks, break windows, or gain entry to your property in some other nefarious way.

Leave Your Car in the Driveway

Obviously, this only works if you aren’t using it for your vacation. If you are a 2-car family, or maybe even more, be sure to park a vehicle on your driveway while you are away. If you are not able to leave your own car at home, maybe ask a neighbor to use your driveway for themselves while you are away.

Keep Your Vacation Plans Away From Social Media

Posting pictures of you and your family sunning themselves hundreds of miles from home is an open invitation to would-be burglars and those who intend to do you no good.

Checking in at the airport may seem like a cool way to flex on Facebook, but in reality, it’s just telling people your home will be empty for the next week or so. Keep your photos and memories to share privately.

Lock up Your Valuables

You should always ensure that your expensive or sentimental items are locked away in a safe, hidden lockbox, or other secure space before you leave for your vacation.

Keep Your Regular Cleaner Schedule

If you are fortunate enough to have some help around the home, you should ask them to continue coming while you are away. House cleaners, gardeners, and even the pool guy should all still arrive as per their regular schedule even if you aren’t there.

Keep It on the Down-Low

Vacations are exciting, and it can be tempting to tell the whole world that it’s your turn to take time off. You will need to tell work and close family, of course, but there is probably no need to tell your hairdresser, the checkout guy at the store, all the moms at the school gate, and everyone else you see.

This may sound a little mean, but when you return, you can tell them all about how awesome your vacation was instead.

Tell Your Neighbors

Giving your neighbors the heads up that you are off on vacation is a useful way of making sure that someone is keeping an eye on your home for you

Consider Your Curtains

If you usually leave your shutters half-open, or blinds rolled up, suddenly shutting them all gives your house a locked-down look that will scream “vacant” to anyone who is interested. As much as possible, keep your curtains, blinds, and shutters in a similar position to how they usually would be.

Don’t Stash Your Key

For many of us living in relatively safe communities, surrounded by trusted friends and neighbors, it can be tempting to leave a key hidden outside your property just in case someone needs to pop in for you. Don’t do this — and especially don’t do this when you are going away for an extended period of time.

Have Someone Take the Trash Out for You

Most people will empty their trash cans before they head off on vacation, but even if you are good enough to do that, remember it still needs to be collected. Ask a neighbor to take your trash can into the street on collection day to ensure that they are removed.

Install a Sensor Light

These cheap and easy-to-install light fittings are super useful for alerting your neighbors when someone is approaching your house. 

Disconnect the Garage Door

If you have an electric garage door that is opened by using a remote, disconnect it before you go. Most garages have direct access to your home, and if a thief can hack the electronic signal, they can be in your home quickly as a flash. 

Tell Your Local Police Department

While it is not national news that you are off on vacation, if you live in a small community, it might be worth mentioning to your local police department that your home will be unoccupied for a short period of time. 

Install a Video Doorbell

These fun little gadgets are also really useful for adding an extra layer of home security. Smart video doorbells allow you to see who is ringing your bell no matter where you are in the world.

Check Your Security Devices Before You Leave

Plan to have a quick once over of all of your security systems and devices a few days before you plan to head off, giving you enough time to replace batteries or repair broken parts for when they will be needed.

Check Your Household Insurance Policy

Before you flee for your month of fun and frolics, check that your home insurance is valid and in date. Should something happen while you are away, you will want to be able to call on your insurers to help rectify the problem on your return.

Hire a House Sitter

Finally, if you are really concerned about leaving your house empty while you are away, consider hiring a house sitter. This might just be a trusted friend or family member, or you could reach out to a company or agency that offers professional house sitting services.