Your family vacation times can be great ways to relax. Vacations are also important for connecting with loved ones in new, exciting environments. Although these times are all about having fun and exploring new places, you might be worried about leaving your home unattended. We’ll show you a few of the ways you can maintain home security.
Tips on how to maintain home security during your next family vacation
Having peace of mind whilst away, try to focus some of your efforts in these specific areas:
Put Lights on a Timer
In the past, some families would leave an exterior porch light on when they went on vacation. They might supplement this light with a single lamp in one room. However, you can add electronic timers that turn on and off according to your specifications.
With timers, you can set various interior or exterior lights to turn on or off at certain times of the day or night to help your house mimic a lived-in effect. The vast majority of home robberies occur when the burglar believes the house isn’t currently occupied. Because of the added risk and the increase in severity of the crime should they attempt to break in while someone is home, timing lights is effective at deterring criminals.
Secure Your Garage Door
Many garages have entrances leading into the home itself. If your garage is experiencing issues or not closing properly, it could represent a potential security risk for you while you’re on vacation. When a burglar believes your home is vacant, garage doors are one of the first places they’ll attempt entering.
Since so many Americans have broken garage doors or even leave their garage doors unlocked, this is an extremely vulnerable entrance to your home. Most garage doors have dozens of components working together to keep things closed. However, this means keeping them maintained and using them correctly. Using a certified garage door repair service can help you diagnose any problems and make sure everything is working properly before you start your next vacation.
Tell a Neighbor
If you have a close circle of neighbors you trust in your area, consider telling one of them your travel plans. While many homeowners opt for a house-sitter as a method of preventing crime, the simple action of informing your trusted neighbors of your absence can help keep your home safe.
When they’re aware you’re gone, they’ll immediately notice if someone tries to enter your home. This way, there will be no uncertainty in their mind they should immediately call the police. Having a neighbor go in and out of your home once or twice can also create the illusion the house is occupied, further deterring burglary. A person you trust can be an invaluable asset in making sure your home is secure and getting in touch with you or various security agencies should they detect a problem.
Save Your Social Media Posts for Later
We all want to take dazzling photos of our vacation spots for the memories they will bring and to let friends and acquaintances have some fun with us along the way. However, it can be difficult to know just who sees our online posts, and you should never assume they’re only visible to people you know and trust.
Broadcasting you’re away from home at the moment creates a security risk. Many burglars today use social media as a way of marking what homes are going to be vacant at what times. The best thing to do: save your pictures and posts of your vacation for when you get back. Once home, you can freely post all about your vacation without having to worry about attracting the attention of burglars.
You shouldn’t have to be unduly worried about the state of your home when you’re off trying to relax with your family. An advanced home security system is great to have, but just a few simple measures taken before you leave can also help ease your worries.
Using a few of the tips we suggest above can improve the security of your residence. Knowing your home is safer, allows you more time yo yourself, your loved ones, and your vacation experience.
About the Writer: Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. You can connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.
