Protect Your Home While Away

When you’re scurrying around, getting ready to go on vacation, the last thing on your mind may be your house. But preparing your home for vacation is just as important as packing your suitcase, experts say. Burglary is often the first thing we think about, but you should also take steps to avoid unnecessary use of electricity.
The best tactic to prevent burglary is to give the illusion that someone is at home.
Get to know your neighbors well. Tell them that you’re leaving and ask them to grab the mail and newspapers. Or put a hold on your papers and mail (call the U.S. Postal Service at -1-800-275-8777).
Leave a car parked in the driveway.
Lock all windows and doors, including the shed and garage. Perform a second walk-through, making sure that every door has been locked.
Complete all yard work. Have someone mow the lawn while you’re away if you’ll be gone longer than a week. The American Crime Institute suggest that bushes should not be taller than 4 feet. Eliminate places that a burglar could hide.
Put timers on the lights and electronics. Arrange for the indoor and outdoor lighting to power on simultaneously. If you watch TV from 7 to 10 at night then set the timer for the TV to power on at that time while you are gone or invest in a Fake TV Simulator.
Don’t put house keys under doormats or other secret places. Give one to a friend or take them with you.
Ask your local police department about vacation checks and security surveys.
Invest in a security system that monitors your home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Make sure it has police response, or you will have to rely on someone else to call the police. Also, the alarm should be audible to let the burglar know that the police are coming. Inform the security company when you’re leaving, and provide a contact number in case they need to reach you. Put signs in the yard and stickers in the window that displays the name of the alarm company.
Don’t indicate that you are leaving town on the answering machine. Forward all calls to your cell phone.
Record the serial numbers of valuable objects. Take digital photos as well and if possible engrave valuables for identification.