Going On Vacation? 4 Tips To Secure Your Home
Getting out of the house for a vacation can be relaxing, but it may also cause you to feel stressed when you are uncertain about the security of your home. The last thing you want to come back home to is a house that has been burglarized, which can ruin the vacation that you just got back from. These tips will help keep your home safe.
Make Friends With Your Neighbors
One of the best ways to defend your home from criminals is to become friendly with your neighbors. If you and your neighbors are on good terms, and they know you're leaving town for a while, they will be able to keep an eye on your home. Even having somebody that is ready to call the police if they see suspicious behavior could be enough to save you from experiencing a break-in.
Don't Pause Mail or Deliveries
One of the signs that criminals look to tell if nobody is home is your mail. They will watch for mail service that has been stopped completely, or mail that has been building up because nobody is home to get it. Have a neighbor or friend check in on your home occasionally, and take in any mail or packages you received. It will make it look like somebody is still at home.
Automate Your Lights
If it looks like people are home, criminals will most likely look for another house to target. You can give the appearance that somebody is home by using automatic light switches. By spreading a few switches throughout your house that mimic your daily behavior, you can give the appearance that you are still home. Modern switches even connect to your WiFi, allowing you to program them from your smart phone. The timers can also be randomized so that they do not turn the lights on and off at the same time every single day.
Install An Alarm System
While the previous tips do not guarantee it will deter a criminal, an alarm system can. By placing alarms on your windows and doors, the loud sound of an alarm is enough to scare somebody away if they break in. In addition, you can get notified if these alarms go off, so you have peace of mind while on vacation.
For more information on having an alarm system installed, consult with a local home security company like Videotec Corporation.