14 Tips for Home Security while on Vacation
Plan for extra Home Security while you're away on vacation this summer. Read through these tips and implement so you can go away worry free and relax knowing your home is safe and taken care of.
Tip #1: Put your mail on hold.
This is mostly for on the street mailboxes or apartment boxes. However, if you have a mail slot in your door you might also want to consider doing this if anyone can look through a window and see the mail stacking up. A great number of modern decorative doors have windows that would allow someone to see collecting mail. You could have a trusted family member stop by every other day to pick up your mail and collect them until you return.
Tip #2: Answering machine "we can't get to the phone right now"
Even when you're in town, your phone message should never say that you are not home. Set the machine to answer in five rings, answering too soon or too late indicate nobody at home. Five rings could be that you really can't get to the phone. In consolidated phone/answering machine models turn down the ringer.
Tip #3: Put your lights on a timer
Timers come in a wide variety from a programmable, computerized home to a simple plug in. Have two or three rooms equipped so the lights go on and off at various times. Also leave the light over the stove on all the time, as the kitchen is one room that tends to have lights on the most.
Tip #4: Leave a stereo on a talk/news station
A deserted house "feels" empty; people make noise and noise means vibrations. The difference between the vibrations of music and conversation are in the timing. Music is far more consistent, whereas speech is more erratic. This broken pattern is more consistent with someone being home. By turning your stereo on a talk station instead of a music station it creates a more realistic impression that someone is home, the same effect is created by having a TV turn itself on in the afternoon and evening.
Tip #5: Put your newspaper on hold
Newspapers collecting on your driveway indicate your absence. When you call the newspaper do not tell them that you are going on vacation. Just tell them you are going to be too busy to read it for the next week. In fact, other than police/security, company/post office it's best not to mention that you will be out of town. You never know who may be the thief or tip off a thief to break into your home during your absence.
Tip #6: Drapes
There is some debate about leaving drapes open or closed. Some maintain that by closing them you indicate that you are not at home. Others maintain that by leaving them open in order to look like you are at home you invite look-ins by potential burglars. Still, others recommend a combination, leaving some open (that look into rooms where there is little of value) while closing others that look into what should be occupied rooms. A nice compromise is to leave upstairs curtains open while first floor drapes shut. Whatever your decision remove expensive and inviting items from view from the outside.
Tip #7: Park your car in the drive way
This is another debated tactic. Some highly recommend it to make it look like someone is home. Others maintain that a car that doesn't move is a tip off. Still others recommend offering your neighbour a place to park. You might want to do a combination or if you are in a neighbourhood where cars are not normally parked in the driveway, just park in the garage.
Tip #8: Padlock all gates
Make your backyard inaccessible. Padlocking your gates when you are at home can be inconvenient, but the advantages of doing it while you are on vacation are great. It not only makes getting into the backyard more difficult (not impossible mind you, just difficult), but it seriously hinders getting out while carrying items like stereos and computers. This difficulty level serves as a strong deterrent.
Tip #9: Hire a trusting family member to be a caretaker
Ask a trusting family member to do certain chores for you while away that make it seem as if someone is still living in the home during that time period. This is a great way to get your lawn mowed, your trash taken out, sidewalks shoveled and leaves raked. All of which will disguise the fact that you are not home.
Tip #10: Let a neighbour know where you are going and leave a contact number
In case of problems, leave a contact number that you can be reached at. Some experts recommend leaving a key as well, if you are uncomfortable with that, leave a key with a close friend or local family member and give your neighbour that person's number.
Tip #11: Make sure all doors and windows are locked before you leave
Make a circuit of your home to check that all windows and doors are secure and locked. As obvious as this may sound, quite often in the rush to get out the door this can be overlooked.
Tip #12: Make sure the alarm system is armed
This is another one of those it should be so obvious and yet people forget it all the time. In fact, it might help to make a check-list of things to do before you walk out the door.
Tip #13: Notify the police if you are going to be gone longer than a week
It should go without saying that you should inform your security service provider, but informing the police is an extra layer of protection as they will often schedule extra drive bys to make sure your home is safe.
Tip #14: Get a floor safe and store jewelry and expensive small items in it
If you are gone frequently on business you might want to consider installing a floor safe in the bottom of your closet to put small valuable items. (Even if you don't travel, a safe is a good idea). Include in it a photo collection of your possessions. A floor safe can easily be concealed by an area rug and shoes. Safes tend to be more convenient than safety deposit boxes at banks for easy access when you are home.