There’s nothing relaxing about a vacation if you spend all of your time traveling thinking about the things that could be going wrong at home. And no one wants to return to a ransacked house. These five home safety tips will help you to rest assured that your home is safe in your absence.
Enlist a Friend or Family Member
Ask a trusted friend or family member to check on your house regularly while you’re out of town. This person can then bring your mail in, water plants, and just generally make sure that your house looks lived in while you are traveling, thereby lessening the likelihood of it becoming a target for criminals.
Don’t Share Your Location Online
It can be tempting to post photos of your vacation and share your adventures with family and friends online, but refrain from doing so until you have returned home. Regardless of your privacy settings, social media is never completely private. Would you announce that your family is out of town for the next two weeks to a crowded room? Probably not. Consider that crowded room a metaphor for social media and post accordingly. Besides, vacation should give you an opportunity to unplug and spend time with your loved ones, so it’s a good time to take a break from social media.
Keep Up Appearances
Noticeable changes around the house could make it clear that you’re not around, so go ahead and leave your curtains in the same position they’re always in. Consider investing in a timer (available at any home improvement store) to turn a lamp or light on for a set period of time each evening. Before leaving home, be sure that expensive items such as jewelry and electronics are not visible from the windows. Unplug appliances to save power and protect them in the event of power outage.
Remove That Spare Key
If you keep a spare key somewhere in your yard or on your porch, remove it prior to leaving for your trip. Better yet, give it to the person who is helping look out for your home in your absence.
Enjoy your travels!
-The Schuerman Law Team
