Protecting Your Home When You are Traveling for the Holidays
Filed under: Home Tips
Are you planning to visit family or friends over the holiday season? It is a great time of year to visit the people that you love, but many people make home safety mistakes that could potentially lead to burglaries while they are out of town. Before you leave for your trip, use this checklist to ensure the safety of your home:
Give the Illusion of Being Home
If your home is closed up and dark for multiple days in a row, it’s a good sign that you are out of town. To deter theft, you can take a few proactive steps to make it appear like someone is home. Buy timers that can be used in a wall outlet, and plug in a few lamps so that they turn on and off as if someone were home.
You might also plug in the TV to the timer, and have it turn on during the evening. The sound of the television will give the appearance of someone being home, and people on the street will be able to see the flickering lights through the windows.
Lock Everything Down
Before you walk out the door, do one final check to make sure all of the windows and doors are locked. It takes 2 or 3 minutes to double check, and it will give you the peace of mind to know that everything is secure.
For an added measure of security, a home alarm system can notify you when doors and windows are open. Many of the alarm systems are connected with your smart phone, allowing you to check in on the status of the home from any location.
Pause Deliveries
A pile of newspapers in the driveway or a package sitting on the porch for a few days is a good sign that no one is home. Make sure to take the time to stop deliveries before you leave town. It is also a good idea to ask a neighbor to watch your house, just in case a mistake is made and the newspaper delivery continues while you are gone.
Manage Your Appliances
Adjust your HVAC system, because you don’t need to maintain the same indoor temperatures while you are out of town. You can save money on your utilities because the HVAC system won’t be running as frequently. Also, consider unplugging electronics and appliances to avoid damage from power surges.