It’s that time of year when many of us start to prepare for our long-awaited summer vacation. Whether you are staying local or flying international, any time you leave your home for an extended period of time there are certain precautions you should take to ensure your home’s security. According to the US Dept. of Justice “Seasonal patterns existed in household larceny and burglary victimization rates. Rates of these household crimes tended to be higher in the summer than during other seasons of the year.” Below are some simple home security tips to consider before you head out on your next trip:
- Lock windows & doors before you leave
This seems logical however an astonishing number of people can forget to lock ALL their doors and windows. Did you remember to check the back door? What about the bulkhead? - Ask your neighbor or local police to check in, or have a neighbor park in your driveway while you’re away
Your local police department would much rather prevent a burglary then deal with the aftermath. If you let them know you are leaving town for an extended period of time they will likely try to keep an extra eye on your residence. Another strong prevention method is to ask your neighbor to park in your driveway, giving the impression that someone is home; an obvious deterrent to most criminals. - Turn off your mail service or have a neighbor pick up your mail
Your post office is happy to hold your mail for you while you are gone. There is nothing like a stack of papers in the driveway or a mailbox overflowing with mail to let the bad guys know that your house is vacant. - Find a house sitter/pet sitter
Home security begins with prevention and having someone stay in your residence to house sit/pet sit keeps the house lived in. That means cars in the driveway, lights on at night, mail out of the mailbox, etc. - Install a home security system
What better time to consider a new home security alarm system then when you have a long vacation coming up. Although a DIY security camera system is cheap there are many drawbacks compared to a full-service security company such as Tasco Security. There is no substitute for a system installed, monitored and services by a team of certified professionals. - Install Smart home devices
Security technology has had many recent advancements, including some devices that are not directly meant for home security but do add some additional benefits. Smart home devices such as smart lighting and smart speakers give you remote access to your home while you are on vacation, allowing you to turn on and off devices to give the appearance of the home being occupied. - Landscaping
Have you ever driven past an acquaintance's house when they are on vacation and noticed that the lawn is getting quite long? That is basically a “we’re outta town!” lawn sign. Don’t plant a sign on your lawn when you are going on vacation, make sure to mow your lawn when you leave or have someone take care of it while you are gone. - Watch your Social Media Activity/Don’t Post about it until you are home
It’s exciting to go on vacation, and social media is the perfect outlet to ask for recommendations or post updates from your awesome trip. However, social media is easily shared outside your circle of followers; even a simple “Does anyone have recommendations for restaurants in Miami for next week” is an easy way to alert a would-be burglar of an empty house. Likewise, a picture of you and the kids on the roller coaster on day one of your trip gives out the same alert. Wait until you are home to share all that fun vacation excitement. - Get a cab to the airport: If you can, leave your vehicles in the driveway
Much like asking your neighbor to park in your driveway, leaving your car(s) at home is an easy deterrent. Grab that taxi/Uber or bus, you’ll save on parking too. - Check your mobile security apps
If you work with a professional security company, like Tasco Security, you will have access to some pretty powerful mobile apps that let you monitor your home security system from anywhere.
No one wants their vacation ruined by a break-in. We hope these simple 10 tips can help you enjoy your trip and give you peace-of-mind. If you want to discuss security options, please contact us and we would-be happy to find a solution that fits your needs.
