You’ve recently spent
a wonderful week in the midst of a vacation with your family. The sun was out
the entire time, the sustenance was great, and the children are happy. As you
pull into the garage, though, you realize something seems amiss. The door into
the house is ajar, and you’re sure you closed it on the way out. You mindfully
open the door, just to understand that while you were away, thieves grabbed
your gadgets, adornments, money, and so forth. It’s a scenario that plays out
thousands of times each year in households across the country and the world. In
the days following, you’re sure to ask yourself, “What could I have done
differently?”
a wonderful week in the midst of a vacation with your family. The sun was out
the entire time, the sustenance was great, and the children are happy. As you
pull into the garage, though, you realize something seems amiss. The door into
the house is ajar, and you’re sure you closed it on the way out. You mindfully
open the door, just to understand that while you were away, thieves grabbed
your gadgets, adornments, money, and so forth. It’s a scenario that plays out
thousands of times each year in households across the country and the world. In
the days following, you’re sure to ask yourself, “What could I have done
differently?”
To fully enjoy your
trip, plan appropriate home security and maintenance with this checklist.
trip, plan appropriate home security and maintenance with this checklist.
Set timers on interior lights
This goes a long way
in deterring burglars, who often look for crimes of opportunity. Don’t allow
your house to appear as if no one is home.
in deterring burglars, who often look for crimes of opportunity. Don’t allow
your house to appear as if no one is home.
Prevent power surges
You never know if a power
surge can occur, so be prepared. Disconnect the computer, TV, stereo, and other
electronics, or make sure they are plugged safely into a surge protector. Don’t
make telltale status updates.
surge can occur, so be prepared. Disconnect the computer, TV, stereo, and other
electronics, or make sure they are plugged safely into a surge protector. Don’t
make telltale status updates.
Never broadcast your location on Facebook or
Twitter
Even if you think that
it’s only your friends or colleagues viewing your online profiles, it’s safest
not to leave any sort of opening for a possible burglar.
it’s only your friends or colleagues viewing your online profiles, it’s safest
not to leave any sort of opening for a possible burglar.
Alert your alarm company
If you have an
automatic security system in place, call your representative, announcing you’ll
be away from home for an extended period of time. Make sure the alarm is set
properly when you leave.
automatic security system in place, call your representative, announcing you’ll
be away from home for an extended period of time. Make sure the alarm is set
properly when you leave.
Secure valuables
If you don’t already
have your jewelry or other valuables in a safe deposit box, now might be the
time to do so. Doing this also ensures that you don’t leave out anything
valuable in plain sight that a burglar might be able to see from a window.
have your jewelry or other valuables in a safe deposit box, now might be the
time to do so. Doing this also ensures that you don’t leave out anything
valuable in plain sight that a burglar might be able to see from a window.
Protect your pipes
Make sure pipes in
vulnerable areas such as attics, basements, and crawlspaces are insulated. Ask a
neighbor or trusted friend to stop by and check on the house and periodically
turn on the faucets to ensure the pipes don’t freeze.
vulnerable areas such as attics, basements, and crawlspaces are insulated. Ask a
neighbor or trusted friend to stop by and check on the house and periodically
turn on the faucets to ensure the pipes don’t freeze.
It might seem obvious
but double-check just to be sure.Lock all doors and windows.
but double-check just to be sure.Lock all doors and windows.
Arrange for lawn care.
Has your landscaping tended to by a friendly neighbor or local service? Before
you leave, trim tree branches that might allow access to a climbing burglar.
Has your landscaping tended to by a friendly neighbor or local service? Before
you leave, trim tree branches that might allow access to a climbing burglar.
Stop newspapers and mail
Stop mail and
newspaper deliveries, or have them regularly picked up by a neighbor.
newspaper deliveries, or have them regularly picked up by a neighbor.
Plan some exterior
lighting. Set these lights on timers as well, to detect thieves.
lighting. Set these lights on timers as well, to detect thieves.
Don’t leave spare keys outdoors
Collect any hidden
spare keys from around the exterior of your home. Remember, thieves, know the
most popular hiding places, like beneath mats and in potted plants.
spare keys from around the exterior of your home. Remember, thieves, know the
most popular hiding places, like beneath mats and in potted plants.
Lock the garage
Even if there is no
entrance to your house from the garage, there’s still a chance for numerous
things to be stolen. Secure the door and any entrances to the garage. Find local locksmiths near you to help securing your home.
entrance to your house from the garage, there’s still a chance for numerous
things to be stolen. Secure the door and any entrances to the garage. Find local locksmiths near you to help securing your home.
Do not go for vacation
without doing this. Remember, it’s better to be secure than to be sorry later.
without doing this. Remember, it’s better to be secure than to be sorry later.
