How to protect your home when you are on vacation

Vacations should be a time to relax and take a break from your everyday life. One thing that makes people uneasy, however, is knowing that their home will be empty while they’re gone. You’ll be able to enjoy this break more knowing that your home and belongings are secure. Here are some guidelines to protect your home when you take a vacation.

Have a Reliable Security System

A good home monitoring system is one of your best defenses against intruders. There are many types of home security systems so make sure you choose one that meets your needs. There are, for example, systems you can install yourself that send you alerts via a smartphone app or the internet if anything suspicious occurs. You might also want a system installed by a company that has central monitoring.

Ask a Neighbor For Help

A friendly and alert neighbor can help to keep your home secure. Give your key to a neighbor so he or she can enter your home if necessary. Neighbors may also be willing to water your plants and take in your mail or any packages that arrive while you’re away. It’s reassuring to know that someone you trust is keeping an eye on your home.

Hire a House Sitter

An alternative to asking a neighbor to check-in is to have a house-sitter stay in your home while you’re away. There are several agencies where you can find a reliable house or pet sitter. These are people who live in your home, take care of your pets (if you have any), water your plants, and take in your mail. It effectively removes the whole issue of leaving your house uninhabited. In some cases, you don’t even have to pay house sitters. You are providing accommodations in exchange for household tasks, pet care, or simply watching your home.

Don’t Make It Obvious That You’re Away

Intruders look for telltale signs that people are away. These include a stuffed mailbox, unclaimed packages, and newspapers piling up on the porch. A house that’s totally dark at night is another sign. There are a few simple steps that can help you avoid leaving such obvious clues.

Put Mail and Services on Hold

As noted, a cooperative neighbor can collect your mail. Another option is to put a hold on your mail. This is a good option if you’re going to be away for over a week. You can similarly put a hold on any newspaper subscriptions. Make sure you don’t schedule any package deliveries during your vacation.

Use Smart Lighting

A smart lighting system on a timer can ensure that your home isn’t dark while you’re away. You can program your lights and television to go on and off at certain intervals. Motion detector lights outside your home are another strong deterrent against intruders.

Arrange for Lawn Care of Snow Removal

Depending on the season and your local climate, make sure your home and property are well maintained while you’re away. An overgrown lawn or snow piling up in the driveway are signs that no one is home. Arrange to have lawn maintenance, snow removal, and any other appropriate services covered while you’re gone.

Be Careful About What You Post on Social Media

It’s natural to want to share your vacation experiences on social media. However, you also need to be wary about advertising the fact that you’re away. There are risks to posting vacation photos on social media. You may think your social media posts are private but you never know who might see your photos and other posts. Remember that people can share your content. One solution is to wait until you return home to display your photos.

Be Vigilant When Going Away

You can enjoy your vacation if you take the proper precautions before leaving home. You don’t necessarily need to take all of these actions. For example, if you’re on very good terms with a neighbor, he or she could essentially take the place of a house sitter. However, many of these tips, such as having a home security system, smart lighting, and avoiding signs that your home is not inhabited, work best in unison.

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