Vacation Preparation - Five Steps to Securing Your Home's Interior

House Sitter 

When planning your vacation, you may want to make arrangements for a house sitter or ask a relative or friend to stay over. Typical burglars will do their best to avoid confrontation. Their goal is to find a nice empty home where they can work quickly, without interruption and be on their merry way. The key to protecting your home is to make it look like someone is there. While there are numerous ways to make your home look inhabited, the best way is to actually have someone living there. By getting a house sitter for your home, you're creating one of the best lines of defense possible. Also, be sure to leave detailed instructions on maintaining the house and operating your home alarm system. This will put your house sitter at ease and you’ll rest easier as well. 

Timers

If you cannot have someone physically attend to your home think about investing in a few timers. For the most part, these timers are inexpensive and can be purchased from either a home improvement or department store. Some people opt to just leave their lights on for the duration of their trip; however, this can have the reverse effect of informing a possible burglar that no one is home. Using timers will establish the plausibility of life continuing inside. Simply locate them strategically around your home on indoor lamps and appliances to illuminate your home at night, and set timers to turn on radios and televisions randomly during the day. Even though the house is empty, to an observer passing by at various times of the day, it will look and sound occupied. The goal is to create an illusion of everyday activity. 

Answering Machine 

Think about this for a minute. What is the outgoing message on your answering machine? Did you just tell a complete stranger that you’re not at home? Worse yet, did you just tell them how long you’ll be away? Try not to share more information than you really need to and never indicate on your message that you are on vacation. Instead, politely ask the caller to leave a message and assure them you will return their call as soon as possible. Also, while you’re away remember to remove messages from your telephone answering machine on a regular basis so that the "beep" is always short. 

Valuables 

Be sure to put your valuables in a safe place. Even with all of the precautions you’ve taken it may not be enough. Take the added step of moving your valuables to a safe deposit box or store them in your own home safe. Artwork and jewelry are a very popular target for thieves, so be vigilant about any of your truly precious belongings. 

Locks/Alarms 

Does your home have locks and deadbolts? If your home already has these be sure to check them to make sure the screws are sturdy and they are secure. If not, make the purchase from your home improvement or department store and install them. Although this may seem obvious, before leaving your residence take your time and be sure to lock all of your doors and windows. If you have an alarm system, don’t forget to turn it on. 

A little effort can go a long way in securing your home and valuables. With a little bit of thought, preparation and action on your part, you can easily increase the protection of your home and possessions, not only guaranteeing peace of mind but a relaxing, carefree getaway as well.