You’re finally going to get away.
You’ve shored up everything at work and you’re free and clear to enjoy some much-needed R&R. There’s just one problem: you’re not focusing on the trip, you’re worried about the house you’re leaving behind.
Luckily, there are steps you can take to protect your home while you’re on vacation — some simple, some a little more sophisticated. Simple methods to protect your home while you are away include the completion of a home security check, refraining from advertising your vacation on social media, and creating the impression that your home is occupied.
More advanced measures include the use of video surveillance systems, motion-activated lights, residential security cameras and remote video verification.
Here are seven key strategies that you can take to help deter thieves while you are away on vacation.
Avoid the Temptation to Advertise Your Upcoming Trip on Social Media
It can be incredibly tempting to spread the word about your upcoming vacation to all of your family, friends, and co-workers. Many of us use social media sites to show off the wonderful trips we take and sights we see. However, what we’re often failing to realize is that we’re actually advertising that our homes are empty! Burglars are increasingly searching social media sites for indicators that people are planning to leave town. You can avoid falling into this trap by choosing not to publicize your upcoming trip on social media sites. Wait to post those great pics until after you return home.
Request a Home Security Check from Your Local Police Department
Many local police departments provide a free home security check to community residents. In most cases, these security inspections are undertaken by a trained crime prevention officer who will travel to your home and review the inside and outside of your property. In addition to educating you about crime prevention, your inspection will provide you with valuable suggestions to improve your home security. These may include the installation of security and monitoring services. Contact your local police department to inquire about the availability of this service.
Complete a Hold Mail Request Prior to Your Departure
One of the easiest ways to eliminate evidence that you are leaving town is to schedule a hold mail request. A hold mail request prevents your mail from piling up in your mailbox and around your front door. A USPS hold mail request can be completed easily and quickly online up to 30 days prior to your departure. By indicating your departure date and your date of return, postal service staff will hold your mail securely at your local Post Office while you are on vacation. You can choose to have your mail delivered to your home after you return or you can opt to pick up your mail in person at your local Post Office.
Create the Illusion that People are at Home
You can make your home a less inviting target to burglars by creating the illusion that there is activity inside your home. This can be accomplished by undertaking one or more of the following strategies:
- Program your lights and televisions to power on at specified times
- Invite neighbors to park their cars in your driveway
- Make sure that someone cares for your lawn while you are away
- Enlist the services of a house sitter to stay at your home
By maintaining activity on your property, you can help deter thieves from venturing on your property.
Install Motion-Activated Lights
Motion-activated lights are an effective means by which you can prevent a burglary from occurring while you are away. They are particularly effective when used in conjunction with cutting edge home control technology. Motion-activated lighting helps you protect your home by accomplishing the following:
- Motion-activated lights eliminate a burglar’s “easy access” to your home
- The sudden lighting can startle a burglar
- Motion-activated lights can illuminate a criminal in action
Motion-activated flood lights are a good choice because they offer an expansive viewing area. Lights should be installed high enough that burglars are not able to easily dismantle them.
Schedule Deliveries to Occur Before You Leave or After You Return
An increasing number of Americans are using the internet to order their home goods, clothing, and other items. While this practice is convenient and cost-effective, it increases the number of package deliveries to your home. If these packages arrive while you are on vacation, they can accumulate on your porch and be stolen. Even worse, accumulated packages that sit on your doorstep for days can serve as an indicator that no one is home at your house. By scheduling your package deliveries to occur before you leave or after you return, you can prevent security invasions.
Invest in Remote Video Verification
This safety measure aids in the prevention of intruders by increasing your visibility of your home and loved ones. Remote video verification involves the use of cameras to monitor your property while you are on vacation. You can view the goings on within and around your home as frequently as you wish. Additional features which can aid in highlighting suspicious activity include the following:
- Real-time alerts
- Video streaming
- Ability to take photos of activity using your mobile device
- Automatic camera activation when motion is detected
- A virtual keypad security system app permits alarm verification
The ability to verify whether a security alarm is legitimate is particularly advantageous because you can determine whether or not police should be notified.
At ProTech Security, we have a strong history of experience, innovation, and customer service. The ProTech Security Advantage is more than 35 years of service in Northeast Ohio and a strong commitment to providing quality, cost-effective protection for homes, businesses, educational institutions and government facilities. To see what ProTech Security can do for you, contact us today.
