Going on a vacation is an exciting time to relax, recharge, and explore new places. But amidst the anticipation, it’s essential to pay attention to the safety and security of your home. After all, the last thing you want is to return to a house in disarray.
So, before you embark on your adventure, take the necessary precautions for protecting your home while on vacation. By doing so, you can have peace of mind, knowing that your property is secure.
Importance of Protecting Your Home While on Vacation
Before we delve into the specifics of keeping your home safe while on vacation, let’s first understand why it is essential. Your home is more than just a physical structure. It’s a sanctuary that shelters your loved ones and holds your valuable possessions.
When you’re away, your home becomes vulnerable to various risks, including break-ins, theft, and damage from natural disasters. The consequences of these unfortunate events can be financially and emotionally distressing.
Now, imagine the stress and worry of dealing with such circumstances while you’re supposed to be enjoying a carefree vacation. Protecting your home while on vacation should be a top priority, as it allows you to fully savor your time away without any nagging concerns.
10 Common Risks to Home Security While on Vacation
Now that we’ve established the importance of protecting your home while on vacation, let’s discuss the common risks you need to be aware of:
1. Unsecured Entry Points
Unsecured entry points, such as unlocked doors and windows, are an open invitation for burglars. Remember this when considering how to protect your home while on vacation. Failing to secure these access points is like rolling out the red carpet for intruders, making it incredibly easy for them to walk right in and help themselves to your belongings.
2. Lack of Exterior Lighting
When keeping your home safe while on vacation, a poorly lit property can be a burglar’s best friend. When your home is dark, it provides cover for criminals to do their dirty work unnoticed. The absence of exterior lighting gives the impression that no one is home, making your property an attractive target.
3. Oversharing on Social Media
We live in a digital age where sharing every aspect of our lives on social media has become the norm. However, broadcasting your vacation plans to the entire online world can have dire consequences. It’s like telling burglars, “Hey, my house will be empty, come and help yourself!”
4. Empty or Unattended Home
Having no one to watch over your home while you’re away is like leaving a valuable item unattended. This is vital to understand when keeping your home safe while on vacation. It’s a risky move that can end in disaster. Piled-up mail, overgrown lawns, and a perpetually dark house are clear signs that nobody’s home and give burglars the green light to carry out their nefarious plans.
5. Visible Signs of Absence
Visible signs of absence, like closed curtains or blinds throughout your vacation, can signal to burglars that no one is home. While it’s natural to close your window coverings before you leave to prevent anyone from peering inside, completely boarding them up during your trip can be a giveaway.
6. Neglected Maintenance
Neglected maintenance can be an indicator that no one is home. When your lawn is overgrown and your exterior shows signs of disrepair, it sends a message to burglars that you’re not paying attention to your property. To them, it’s an open invitation, as it suggests that if you don’t care about the outside, you probably don’t care about the inside either.
7. Fake Security Measures
While investing in security measures is a wise decision, opting for fake ones is the opposite. Consider buying a legitimate security system when searching for how to protect your home while on vacation. You might think that a phony security system sticker or a dummy camera will deter burglars, but experienced ones can easily spot the fakes.
8. Failure to Secure Valuables
Failure to secure valuables properly is like leaving a tempting treat in plain sight for burglars. Even if they don’t manage to get past your initial line of defense, like locked doors, if you have expensive items easily visible from windows, it can be enough to entice them to take more drastic measures.
9. Inadequate Pre-Vacation Planning
Inadequate pre-vacation planning can leave your home vulnerable. If your only plan before leaving is to lock the front door and hope for the best, you’re setting yourself up for a potential disaster. Successfully protecting your home while on vacation requires careful preparation and attention to detail.
10. Lack of Neighborhood Security Awareness
Lastly, a lack of neighborhood security awareness can hinder your efforts to keep your home safe. In close-knit communities, looking out for one another can be a powerful crime deterrent. However, if you’re not actively involved in your neighborhood, having a loved one check up on your home while you’re away can be a valuable help.
How To Protect Your Home While on Vacation
When protecting your home while on vacation, preparedness is critical. The more measures you take in advance, the less likely you’ll have to deal with unfortunate surprises. To help you, here’s a comprehensive list of home security tips while on vacation:
1. Don’t Broadcast Your Absence
While it’s tempting to share your vacation plans with the world, doing so can be risky. Broadcasting your absence is like extending an invitation to burglars, so it’s best to resist the urge to post about your trip on social media.
Additionally, be cautious about sharing your itinerary with people you don’t fully trust. It’s essential to remember this when considering how to protect your home while on vacation. The more people who know you’re away, the greater the risk of your home falling into the wrong hands.
2. Ensure All Home Locks Are Secure
Securing all entry points is a fundamental aspect of home security while on vacation. Before you leave, double-check that all doors, windows, and other possible access areas are locked. Consider investing in smart locks or deadbolts for an extra layer of security.
If you’re entrusting a house sitter with your property, make sure they’re responsible and reliable. It’s also a good idea to change the locks once you return as an added precaution.
3. Leave Spare Keys With a Trusted Neighbor or a Family Member
Leaving a spare key under the doormat may be convenient for you, but it’s equally convenient for potential intruders. Instead, give a spare key to a trusted neighbor or a family member when learning how to protect your home while on vacation.
If you don’t have any close neighbors or if you’re uncomfortable leaving a key, you can opt for keyless entry systems or smart locks. These modern technologies can grant access to specific individuals and even allow you to monitor who enters your home.
4. Secure the Garage
Ensuring the security of your garage is a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of protecting your home while on vacation. Before you set off, unplug the automatic garage door opener to render it useless for any potential tech-savvy intruders.
Just like your front and back doors, the garage should be locked. You can also consider installing a security camera and motion sensor lights as a deterrent.
5. Use Timers for Lights and Electronics
Creating the illusion that someone is home is a time-tested method for thwarting burglars. When keeping your home safe while on vacation, invest in timers for your lights and electronics. Set them to turn on and off at different intervals to give the impression of activity inside the house.
6. Consider Installing an Effective Security System
If you don’t have one already, consider getting a security system for your home. The mere presence of security cameras or alarm systems can discourage potential intruders. Opt for a system that allows remote monitoring, allowing you to check on your property from anywhere.
Remember to test the security system when keeping your home safe while on vacation. Inform the security company about your absence and provide them with alternative contact information, if necessary.
7. Stop Mail and Newspaper Deliveries
Piled-up mail and newspapers are clear indicators of an empty house. To avoid this, place a hold on your mail delivery and ask a neighbor to collect any packages that may arrive in your absence. You can also suspend newspaper deliveries, as unread papers can quickly give away your absence.
8. Don’t Forget About the Yard
Protecting your home while on vacation is not just about the house itself but also the surrounding yard. Overgrown bushes and untrimmed hedges can provide convenient hiding spots for burglars, so make sure to have someone maintain your yard in your absence.
Consider asking a neighbor to park their car in your driveway occasionally, giving the impression that someone is home. If you will be away for an extended period, arrange for lawn care so your yard doesn’t become an obvious target.
9. Be Mindful of Who You Tell
While you may be excited about your upcoming vacation, you must be selective about who you share the information with. Only inform people you trust, such as close friends and family. Consider this when learning how to protect your home while on vacation.
Avoid discussing your trip in public places where strangers may overhear. You never know who might be listening and waiting for an opportunity to target an empty home.
10. Get to Know Your Neighbors
Building a good relationship with your neighbors can have long-term benefits for your home’s security. In a tight-knit community, neighbors look out for one another, so take the time to get to know the people nearby.
When keeping your home safe while on vacation, inform your trusted neighbors about your plans. They can help keep a watchful eye on your property and promptly report any suspicious activity.
How To Burglar-Proof Your Home Before Going on Vacation
Protecting your home while on vacation starts with ensuring it’s well-protected even when you are around. Here are some additional tips to burglar-proof your home:
1. Reinforce Entry Points
Make it difficult for potential intruders to enter your home by reinforcing all entry points. Besides using sturdy locks, consider installing door and window reinforcements, such as security bars or shatterproof glass.
2. Keep Valuables Secure
Another tip when learning how to protect your home while on vacation is to store your valuable items, such as jewelry and electronics, in a secure safe. The safe should be well-hidden and securely bolted to the floor or wall.
3. Conduct a Security Audit
Identify any vulnerabilities in your home by conducting a thorough security audit. Look for weaknesses like broken fences, inadequate outdoor lighting, and outdated security systems. Addressing these issues can significantly reduce the risk of a break-in.
4. Install Motion Sensor Lights
Outdoor lighting plays a crucial role in protecting your home while on vacation. Install motion sensor lights in strategic areas around your property, such as near entrances and dark corners. The sudden illumination can startle intruders and draw attention to their presence.
5. Don’t Leave Spare Keys in Prominent Places
Avoid placing spare keys in easy-to-guess spots, such as under doormats or flower pots. Instead, hand over a spare key to a reliable neighbor or family member. If you don’t have anyone to entrust with a key, consider using a secure keyless entry system.
6. Use Window Coverings
Close your curtains or blinds when you’re not home to prevent potential burglars from scouting your property and seeing any valuable items inside. This simple step on how to protect your home while on vacation can make your home less of a target.
7. Join or Start a Neighborhood Watch
Keeping your home safe while on vacation is a long-term process. Participating in a neighborhood watch program can significantly enhance the security of your home. These programs involve residents looking out for each other and reporting suspicious activity to the police.
Final Thoughts
When you’re on vacation, the last thing you want to worry about is the security of your home. By following these essential tips for protecting your home while on vacation, you can enjoy your time away, knowing that you’ve taken the necessary steps to safeguard your property.
Remember, home security while on vacation requires careful planning and attention to detail. By investing in reliable security systems, securing all entry points, and trusting only a reliable locksmith service provider, you can significantly reduce the risk of a break-in. Additionally, smart home technology can be a valuable ally in creating the illusion of occupancy.
Trust Alpine Lock & Safe to secure your home!
If you want to take your home security to the next level, Alpine Lock & Safe is your best choice! We provide expert commercial, automotive, and residential locksmith services in Vail. Get in touch with us to secure comprehensive protection for your home and ensure a worry-free vacation experience.
