Summertime is travel time. It’s also prime time for home burglaries, so whether you’re away on a day trip or an extended vacation, take a few precautions and you’ll be less likely to return to an unpleasant surprise.
Let These People Know You’ll Be Gone
There are some people you want to know you’re away from home. They include:
- Trusted Friends: Pick a neighbor, friend or relative you can trust to keep an eye on your property and make sure they know how to contact you in an emergency. If you’ll be gone a while, have them check for mail, packages, flyers or other deliveries so they’re not visible signs that you’re not home. You may want them to water your plants or feed the pets, too, if that’s a concern, but consider boarding dogs and cats so they don’t get bored and lonely and take it out on your furniture and carpets.
- The Post Office: Put a vacation hold on your mail if you’ll be gone more than a couple of days. If you have newspapers delivered, stop them, too, as well as anything else that’s regularly delivered.
- The Police: Some agencies let you notify them when you’ll be away and will alert patrol cars in your area to keep an eye on your property. You may be able to do it online or you can call the non-emergency number for information. Visit your department’s website or call the non-emergency number to confirm if the service is available.
Don’t Let These People Know
The fewer people who know you’re gone, the safer your property will be. Be careful who you tell. Do not tell:
- Social Media: Resist the temptation to post your plans on sites like Facebook and Twitter. Think about it—do you really trust all 342 of your Facebook “friends” or all your Twitter followers? Do your posts go to “Friends of Friends” or public message boards? Better to share your experiences once you’re safely back home. At least use the option to split your friends list into “close friends” and the rest of them.
- Burglars and Other Opportunists: Make your home look lived in. Put lights on timers that cycle the way they would if you were at home. Set the timers to turn on and off at times that are in keeping when you would normally use the room(s). Arrange for you lawn to be mowed even when you’re out of town. That way it doesn’t look forgotten. Move electronics, jewelry and other tempting valuables away from windows. Blinds and sheer curtains can be adjusted to let in light and still keep people from seeing in, but tightly drawn drapes in the daytime say nobody’s home.
- Everybody Else: This includes people who know where you live. You may trust your mechanic or hairdresser, but how well do you know the other people at the shop who are likely to overhear your conversation? Just like with social media, keep your plans to yourself and talk about them when you’re back.
Finally, set your thermostat(s) to an appropriate temperature for the season and unplug appliances like toasters and coffeemakers to eliminate the risk of trouble when no one’s there to notice.
Make checking your locks part of your pre-trip planning, too. Be sure everything is locked up tightly and all your locks are in good working order. It won’t do any good to leave a key with a neighbor if they can’t get the lock to work. And don’t forget to give them your alarm code, preferably a temporary one you can erase when you return.
The better your security measures, the less tempting your home will be as a target and the more you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your vacation. A good place to start is with good-quality locks. The pros at Alexius Security, The Denver Locksmiths, can help you choose and install the ones that are right for you and keep the ones you have in good working order.
Our services go beyond simply working on locks, too. We can advise you about the best systems for your safety and convenience and recommend security measures for all of your property. Just give us a call at 303-617-3717 or use our online contact form for prompt, professional attention to your security needs.
