The relaxation of a vacation could soon turn to stress if you get back to find your home has been burglarized. There are many ways to prevent this from happening and take a trip without packing worry. Here are seven top vacation safety tips to help keep your home safe while you’re away.

Vacation Safety Checklist

You plan for a vacation, so why not plan on how to keep your home safe. Some of the ways to help ensure safety are best taken care of well before you leave for vacation, so make sure you make note of the following tips and then happily check them off your list.

Like a Good Neighbor

A trusted neighbor can be imperative to vacation peace of mind. If they can help you with some or all of the following tasks, you’ve won the neighbor lottery and can focus on vaca fun. Just be sure you’re ready to help return the favor when they go away. Give them any contact information as well in case of emergency.

• Keep an eye out for any suspicious activity.
• Pick up any mail, packages, or newspapers.
• Shovel snow off the driveway.
• Trash cans are clear and off the sidewalk.

If you don’t have any close neighbors, enlist a family member or friend. Better yet, ask if they wouldn’t mind house-sitting while you’re gone. Just make sure the fridge is stocked with goodies.

Other neighborhood tips:

• The local police department can send a patrol car out to your home if you tell them when you’ll be away.
• You can have your mail and newspapers held while you’re gone and resumed once you’re back.
• Don’t schedule package delivery for when you’re away.

The Timer is Right

Set your indoor and outdoor lights on timers for the hours you usually use them. If you want to be extra sneaky, have the TV on a timer too. Many timers are controllable from smartphone apps, which can be a big help when you’re away. Just double check the range it works with.

Careful with Public Posts

Social media is a popular site for posting pics, especially of your fabulous vacation. But if it’s open to the public, everyone will know you’re not home, and criminals just have to find out where you live. Which is also something you should not make available online.

Lock it All Up, Even the Spare Key

• Front door, back door, garage, windows, basement access. If there’s a way to get in, make sure it’s locked.
• Don’t keep any spare outside. Even if you think it’s a great hiding spot, it’s probably findable.
• Lock any indoor valuables in a safe.

Arm Your GPS

If you leave your car at the airport, there’s a chance someone can break in, and while they may not steal your car, all they really need is your GPS to tell them where an empty house is located. Make sure your address isn’t easily labeled HOME. If you have to set a home address, make it a public place instead.

Arm Your Home

A security system is an obvious choice for someone who is frequently away. While you don’t need one only for vacation, it can always help keep your home safe while you’re away for five minutes, five weeks, or five months. There are a variety of systems available for a range of budgets, and now most come with apps to help you stay in touch from anywhere. If you have any questions about protecting your home at any time, contact the security specialists at Security Five for more information.

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