Vacation Checklist: 7 Tips for Home Security

Going away for summer vacation? Don’t leave your home unprotected! Burglars are on the lookout for vacant homes, especially during the summer season when families travel. If you don’t take the right steps before you leave, then your home could become a target.

Use this simple checklist to strengthen your home security and deter burglars away from your property.

1. Don’t let mail or packages pile up.

A pile of uncollected mail or packages is a clear sign that nobody has been home for a while. That’s exactly what burglars want to see! Before you go away, have your mail paused or redirected, and consider canceling the delivery of any packages. Alternatively, ask a friend or neighbour to collect everything for you while you’re gone.

2. Let a neighbour know you’ll be gone.

Even if you don’t need your mail collected, it’s a good idea to inform at least one trusted neighbour that you’ll be gone. So if they see any activity on your property, they’ll know it’s suspicious. Let the neighbour know what dates you’re leaving and returning, and provide a phone number where you can be reached.

3. Keep your lawn mowed.

An unkempt yard is another sign to burglars that the home is probably vacant. Have someone mow the grass for you while you’re gone. And if you’ll be gone for an extended period, make sure any shrubbery is maintained as well.

4. Use timers or smart lights.

Schedule some of your lights to activate automatically so that the home doesn’t appear dark and vacant. This can be done with inexpensive timers or with Internet-connected smart lights/bulbs. If a would-be burglar sees that a light is on, they’ll be more likely to skip your house and look for one that is completely dark.

5. Close and lock all doors and windows.

This tip may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many families accidentally leave a window open or a back door unlocked when they go on vacation. Before you leave, take the time to check every entry point and window to ensure they are securely closed and locked.

6. Arm your home security system.

Hopefully you already do this every time you leave your home, but it’s especially important to do it before traveling. In the event that your home security system is triggered, the alarm will help to scare off intruders and authorities can be alerted by your alarm monitoring center.

7. Turn on your security cameras.

If you have security cameras, make sure they are activated and functioning properly before you leave. If your cameras have a motion-activation feature, be sure that it’s enabled so that you’ll be alerted if any activity is detected.

The last thing you want while you’re on vacation is to worry about your home being broken into. Use the tips above to secure your home before you leave, so you can relax and fully enjoy your time away!

Need some home security expertise?

Contact us at PROTECTION PLUS to request a no-obligation security system consultation today.