When you travel for the holidays or go on vacation, do you worry about the security of your home while you’re away? It’s a common concern, one that keeps many homeowners from fully enjoying their vacations.
If you hope to avoid such worries when planning your next trip, plan for your home’s care while making your other arrangements. These simple tips will help you keep your peace of mind.
-Stop mail and newspaper delivery. Even if you have someone checking on your home on a daily basis, that person might not arrive in time to collect deliveries. Mail and newspapers lying around are a tell tale sign that a family is not at home. It is better to simply stop such deliveries and collect these items upon your return. It also makes the house-watching job easier for the friend, neighbor, or family member that has agreed to do it.
-Leave different lights on throughout the house in the evenings. Use light timers or instruct your house-watcher to choose lights in different rooms instead of turning on the same light each evening. This makes your home seem lived in.
-Do not tempt burglars. Close your front curtains, put away bicycles, tools, and lawn care equipment, and lock your garage or shed. Even in the best neighborhoods, thefts occur, especially when your belongings make tempting targets.
-If you are going on an extended vacation, be sure to schedule routine maintenance. If you mow your lawn or have it mowed regularly, make sure the schedule continues. Overgrown grass or weeds are certain indicators that a home is empty.
-Ask for added police surveillance. Let the police know you will be out of town. Ask them to pay greater attention to your home. If there is an auxiliary police force in your area, you may be able to schedule extra patrols for a small fee.