HOME
SECURITY
Safegurding Your Home While You're on
Vacation
— by John Bouris Jr., CRL
Volume III Issue 2
I have developed this
newsletter to help in the preparation of safeguarding your home while you are away on
vacation. While each house differs from the next, use this information as a guide to
securing your home properly before you go away and you will leave your home knowing you
have done all you can to make it safe and secure. Let us look at what makes your home safe
while you are away.
Lights:
Making your home look the same as it does while you're away is the most important part in
preventing burglaries. Leaving the same light(s) on in the same room(s) is vital in
protecting your home while you're away. There is no need to keep a light on in every room.
However, if you have a large home or children I recommend that you leave more than one
light on a timer in the rooms that are the most occupied when you are at home. I myself
prefer two lights on timers one in the main living room and one in the bedroom. I set each
timer for the times that these rooms are occupied when my family is at home. A porch light
is also helpful but only if you use this light regularly. If you never turn on your porch
light and then turn it on when you're away this becomes very noticeable. Think about
either a timer or daylight sensor for your porch light and start to use it. Motion
detectors are also very important however these can easily be defeated by unscrewing the
bulbs. Make sure your motion detector is placed high enough so it can't be reached by some
one hoisting somebody else up to unscrew your bulb.
Doors and Windows:
Make sure all your doors and windows are properly secured before you go away. This
includes the cellar or basement windows and garage windows if you have an attached garage.
Make sure the doors leading into your home from these areas are also secured. Lock all the
locks on all of your doors this includes the storm doors too. If you are planning a
vacation in the summer months it is advisable to put down the storm windows on all windows
within easy reach from the outside. If you use a window air conditioner and can't properly
secure your window with it in then remove the unit and secure that window. It is also
recommended that you partially close all blinds and/or curtains so no one can look in.
Mail and Newspapers:
If you have a mail slot in your door make sure the postal carrier has access to it. Do not
lock the storm door leading to the mail slot. If you haven't a mail slot have your mail
delivery stopped at the Post Office. Consider putting in a mail slot this will eliminate
the need to cancel your delivery. If you're planning to be away for an extended period
have your mail forwarded to you. Cancel the newspaper for the time you're away.
Notifying Neighbors:
Notifying neighbors that you'll be away is always good policy. If you live in an area
where you are unfamiliar with your neighbors or feel uncomfortable letting them know
you'll be away then donšt inform them of your plans. If you trust your neighbors then let
them know the dates when you'll be away and leave them a number where you'll be in case of
emergency. You don't have to notify all your neighbors only one or two will do.
Leaving a key:
Leaving a key with someone is a matter of personal preference. You can leave a key with
whom you feel comfortable with. It can be your neighbor or a relative or even a friend.
Make certain that whoever has access to your house will know what to do in case of an
emergency and can handle any situation if needed. If you have someone with access to your
house other than your neighbor and you have also notified your neighbor, leave them the
number of the person who has access to your house only if that person has allowed you to
give out his/her number.
Other Important Items:
Locking the gates surrounding your home is a good idea but only if the locks cannot be
seen from the outside. If you vacation during the winter it is very important to arrange
to have someone shovel your walk. A walk that goes un-shoveled for a few days makes your
home an inviting target. Put away all yard items such as yard tools, rakes and other
things that are not needed while you're away. Try not to let everyone know that you'll be
away from your home you never know who might be listening.
Following these steps will make your home
safe while your away and your vacation worry free. Remember, making your home look the
same way as it does while you're away as when you are at home is the most important part
in keeping your home safe.
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