Keep your Home Safe While Traveling for the Holidays

12/10/2018 (Permalink)

1. Lock your windows and doors.

This may sound like a no brainer, but statistics have shown that roughly 30% of home invasions are unforced entry, so check those doors and windows a few times before you leave. It doesn’t hurt to check, double check, and triple check!

2. Shut your water off.

Who wants to come home after a relaxing vacation to find water standing in their home?  To prevent this from occurring, make sure you shut off your main water supply before leaving for vacation.  It will take less than 3 minutes to watch the link below and be prepared to save yourself stress and money. 

 Check out this link to see a step by step video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvE6n7rTGnM

3. Be smart on social media.

Who doesn’t post their family pictures on the beach, or make a snapchat story all about the wonderful time you and your family are having on vacation? Most people do, without thinking twice. But unfortunately, doing this can notify burglars when you aren't at home. It’s like putting a sign up in your front yard saying "break in! We aren't home!” Consider posting images after your trip, or temporarily creating a Facebook picture album that can only be viewed by the people you select.

4. Make your home look lived in.

Ask the post office to hold your mail, and hold your newspapers. An overflowing mail box can be an indication of an empty home! If you have a neighbor or friend that can take out the garbage and put the cans back after the garbage is picked up, it will send the message that everything is proceeding normally at your house. Also, consider buying light timers. You get can get a pack of two for as little as $8.50 on Amazon.

5. Pull those plugs!

I was the QUEEN of this in college, while living on a college budget. This will save you money while you’re gone and will ease your mind of questioning whether or not you turned off the coffee pot. Turn off/unplug your garage door, this is also an effective way to keep thieves from opening it with a universal remote.

6. Keep your lawn maintained.

 If you are gone for more than a few days, make sure your lawn is maintained. Once again, make your house look lived in!

7. Put your valuables in a safety deposit box.

Consider leaving your valuables in a safety deposit box at your bank. Not only will this protect your valuable items from robbers, but also from a fire. You could put your important documents and family images on a hard drive and store that in the safety deposit box too. 

If you have any question, feel free to give us a call at 812-895-0581.