You planned the perfect getaway for this year’s vacation, and you can’t wait to pack the bags and go? We all know that taking a trip is an exhilarating experience, especially if it’s a new destination on your bucket list for quite some time.However, the joy of leaving is often shadowed by the thought of leaving your home unattended for an extended period.
It’s natural to worry about the safety of your home and property while on vacation, but it’s essential not to let these concerns overshadow your excitement. The key is to avoid common home security mistakes. There are several articles on this topic written by freelance writer David Todva. Above, he has compiled a list of professional home security tips that will give you peace of mind and ensure you fully enjoy your time away. The best part is that you don’t have to take extreme measures to improve your home security.
Make Sure Everything is Locked
It may seem self-explanatory, but this is the most crucial step. You’d be amazed how many people forget a window or a backdoor when leaving on vacation. Enhance your home’s security by ensuring all doors have sturdy locking mechanisms, like deadbolts or smart locks, for added safety. If your house has an alarm system, activate it before leaving. If you don’t have such a system and a friend or family member cannot drop by your house now and then, you should consider investing in an alarm system with cameras.
Make It Seem Like Someone Is Home
One of the most effective strategies for keeping your home safe from intruders is to create the impression that someone is always home, even when you’re not there. Several methods can achieve this.
One way to create the illusion of someone being home is by investing in timers or smart plugs to control your home’s lighting. You can program them to switch on and off at varying intervals to simulate regular household activity. For instance, you can turn the lights in the living room on in the evening, then switch off a few hours later when it’s time for bed. Similarly, you can turn the lights in the bedroom on in the morning, then switch off when you usually leave for work.
Another way to prevent intruders from targeting your home is to avoid accumulating mail and packages outside your door. A pile of uncollected mail and packages can signal that no one is home, making your property an easy target. You can pause these services or have a neighbor pick them up. By doing this, you can ensure that your home looks occupied and less likely to be targeted by burglars.
Additionally, installing motion-sensor outdoor lighting that activates when someone comes near can be an effective deterrent. This keeps your home’s perimeter well-lit and less attractive to potential intruders. The lights will automatically turn on when someone is near your property, alerting you and your neighbors that someone is outside. This can help scare off any potential burglars and keep your home safe.
Ask Someone to Drop By Regularly
Developing solid relationships with your neighbors and trustworthy friends can help improve the security of your home. When planning a trip, it’s a good idea to inform a reliable neighbor or friend about your travel plans. Share your contact information with them and request they monitor your property. They can monitor for any unusual activities and respond to emergencies if they occur. You may also ask them to periodically inspect your home to ensure it appears secure and promptly address any potential issues.
Be Careful with What You Share on Social Media
We all love to share our travel experiences and photos on social media, but doing so can also signal to potential burglars that you are away. Consider waiting until you’re back home to share travel updates. If you must post, remove geotags from your photos using a metadata stripping tool and disable geotagging on your phone. Adjusting your social media privacy settings to “Friends Only” or making your accounts private can also help control who sees your post
Final Thoughts
Ensuring home security measures can give you peace of mind during your vacation, knowing that your property is well-protected. You can achieve this by identifying potential weak points in your home, fortifying doors and windows, making it appear someone is still living there, engaging neighbors or friends, investing in security systems, securing necessary documents, and strengthening access points. By doing so, you can significantly reduce the risk of a break-in. Remember, a secure home equals a peaceful vacation, allowing you to relax and fully enjoy your time away.
About author
David Todva is a tech enthusiast and experienced author who writes about the latest trends in AI, blockchain, cybersecurity, and home security. His articles on The Next Tech offer insights into how these technologies are transforming industries like healthcare, finance, and education. Known for his clear and insightful analysis, Todva is a trusted voice for professionals navigating the digital landscape.