Planning a summer vacation is lots of fun — from where you’ll stay to what you’ll eat, what sites you’ll see and what fun activities you’ll do, there’s much to decide. But while you’re thinking about all the fun in the sun you’ll have, don’t forget to make a plan to protect your home while you’re away! Burglaries occur most often in the summer months; a home that’s left empty for a week or two is an easy target. By taking certain precautions, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your time away.
First, have a trusted friend or neighbor to keep an eye on your home. Ask your friend to remove any mail from its box daily, pick up the newspaper, and walk the perimeter of your property to be sure doors and windows are shut tight and have been undisturbed. You’ll also want him to periodically check the inside of your home for any water or gas leaks, and to listen out for smoke detector alarms that may have gone off. You don’t want to “alert” a burglar that you aren’t home with an alarm that continually beeps.
Next, secure your garage. Many people remember to lock their doors and windows, but neglect their garage area. Lock the garage door, install motion lights around it, and if you leave a car in the driveway, don’t forget to remove the garage remote control from it!
Don’t leave out hidden keys. Burglars are pretty smart about knowing the most common places we “hide” our keys. They’ll do a quick check in these areas, then simply use the key to unlock your front door and walk right in.
Use light timers inside your home. Choose ones with random “on/off” settings so someone watching your house won’t be able to easily recognize that the same lights come on at the same time every night — a sure sign that “the lights are on, but no one’s home.”
Keep your lawn landscaped, and remove any valuables from your yard. Stow bikes, grills, and lawn equipment safely away in a locked shed or inside your garage. Arrange for someone you trust or a landscaping service to mow and keep weeds trimmed while you’re away.
Finally, consider installing an alarm system if you don’t have one already. Investing in a good alarm system will bring you peace of mind, not just while you’re on vacation, but for years to come. Today’s alarm systems come with many options to meet your needs and budget, including video analytics cameras that use AI technology, and systems that immediately alert authorities when a burglar smashes a door or window, rather than giving the burglar time to disarm it in the seconds after they break in.
Southern Alarm & Security offers many options for keeping your home safe. For a free, no-obligation survey and estimate, give us a call at 828-693-7186, and let us help you keep your home secure in every season!