Whether you’re spending the day at work or heading off on an extended vacation, keeping your home safe while you’re away gives you peace of mind.
A home invasion is a traumatic experience, and taking the steps to keep your home safe is one of the best investments you can make.
Although home security systems, lighting, and surveillance cameras are widely available, there are some simple steps you can take right now to keep your home safe when you are away.
Designate a Friend, Neighbor, or Family Member
The easiest and most important step to take is to alert a neighbour, friend, or family member that you’ll be away from your home. Having someone keep an eye on your house reduces the risk of a home invasion and gives you the security you need to enjoy your time away.
You can provide an extra key to the person you choose to watch your house. This allows your mail to be brought in, plants to be watered, and pets to be fed. If you leave your vehicle at home, it’s also a good idea to provide this person with an extra key in case of an emergency or if your car needs to be moved for any reason.
Be careful when letting others know about your travel plans publicly on social media. This information makes it easy for would-be intruders to recognize your home as a target. It’s best to let only a handful of people know about your plans along with the person who’ll be watching your house.
Set Up Your Home for Improved Safety
Before you leave your home, make sure that items like electronics, jewelry, and other expensive items are out of sight. The ability to see inside your home makes it easy for intruders to see what’s available.
Move these items away from your windows in order to avoid drawing attention to them. But be careful not to completely close the curtains or blinds. This can be an indicator to others that no one is home. The best approach is to leave them as you normally would if you were still in town.
You can also purchase a timer for your light switches that allows them to turn on and off automatically. You can set a timer schedule that makes it appear that there is still someone at home during the day and evening hours. You can also go ahead and purchase a burglar alarm monitoring system.
Protect Entry Points
Pay close attention to the various entry points of your home. Securing your windows and doors is the first step in keeping your house safe when you’re away.
You can use sensors throughout your home to protect your valuable possessions. These can be installed on doors, windows, cabinets, and other closed spaces. But you first need to decide which areas you want to protect.
Doors and windows are the first places to start. Take the time to inspect all of the windows and doors of your home to decide which ones you need to secure.
There are sensors that can detect the breaking of glass, sawing, or other damage. Consider these when choosing the best products to keep your home safe.
These are a few simple steps to keep your house safe while you are away. Letting someone know that you’ll be away will allow them to keep an eye on your property.
Arranging your personal items to avoid attracting unwanted attention reduces the risk of a burglary.
Understanding the different security products available allows you to secure the different entry points of your home. These all work together to keep all of your most valuable possessions exactly where you left them.