Going on vacation is an exciting time where you get to enjoy some well-deserved relaxation. However, leaving your home unoccupied can put your property at risk of break-ins, and an empty house is highly attractive to burglars. Fortunately, there are a couple of different ways to protect your home while you’re away and have peace of mind, knowing that your property and valuables are safe. To help you enjoy your trip to the fullest, here are some top tips on how to keep your home safe while on vacation.
Update your home security systems
It is a good idea to update your home security systems before you go on vacation. Check that your home alarm system is working correctly and have your systems inspected if there are any issues. Ideally, you want an alarm system with the ability to send you instant notifications if it is triggered for whatever reason. That way, you can contact a neighbor or the police to have your property checked if the alarm sounds. You should also consider purchasing some additional security features, such as surveillance cameras. Smart security cameras will allow you to view a live feed of your property from anywhere via smart devices. This means you can monitor your property remotely from abroad and alert the police if you notice an intruder or any other issues. Another good option is looking into monitored alarms that can instantly flag if there is a security breach.
Keep your car in a secure garage
You should always keep your car parked in a securely locked garage when you go on vacation. Having an expensive car parked on your driveway may attract criminals, and, as a result, your car insurance could be void. However, you could also face severe weather changes while you are away. If your car is exposed to these sorts of elements, you could come back to a damaged vehicle, so it is always best to keep it in storage.
A strong garage door is also essential to security. ADP Garage Doors are the number one garage door installation contractor in Maryland and you should look into them to make sure burglars cannot break in through the garage.
If you don’t have a garage on your property, or you don’t have space to park your car inside, then you should consider buying a portable garage. These provide a secure and convenient storage solution for cars and other valuables such as gardening equipment and machinery. You should also keep your car keys in a hidden location so that they cannot be found by burglars if your home is broken into.
Get to know your neighbors
Getting to know your neighbors is always a good idea, but it can also help you to protect your home, especially when you go away. Let your neighbor know that you are going on vacation so they can keep an eye on your property and notify you in an emergency. You could also leave a key with a trusted neighbor and ask them to go to your home every few days to remove posts and packages. This should help protect your home, as an overflowing mailbox may notify burglars that no one is home and make your home a target.
Avoid posting on social media
Finally, be aware of what you post on social media. It may be tempting to post lots of photos while on vacation, but this can put your home at risk of a break-in. A recent survey found that burglars are now using social media as a tool to find targets. Therefore, you should always try to wait until you are back home before posting any vacation snaps or other posts relating to your trip, as much as you want to.
