Home security is one of the most important things to homeowners all across the world.
People want their homes to be safe.
They also want their valuables and family to be protected. If you’re home, that in of itself is often enough to keep your home safe.
Most burglars simply won’t enter a home if they believe someone is home.
Unfortunately, you can’t be at home all day every day.
This is especially true if you are one of the tens of millions of Americans that travels overseas annually.
If you are gone for long periods of time, how are you supposed to keep your home and it’s content safe?
Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to ensure your home is safe, even when you’re traveling.
With that in mind, this blog post is going to cover a few great ways to make sure that your home is safe when you are on the road.
Have Your Security System Ready
First and foremost, you need to make sure that your security system is ready to go.
These systems can deter criminals from targeting your home. And if someone does, they will scare them away and/or alert the authorities.
Also, make sure all cameras are functional and pointing in the right place.
Also, consider getting a system that allows for remote access.
This can let you check in on your cameras at any time, as well as arm/disarm the device if you have friends, family or neighbors checking on the house.
Whether you have one of the Alexa connected security systems, or a simpler option, make sure your security system is armed and ready to protect your home when you are gone.
Leave a Car in the Driveway
As briefly touched on earlier, making it seem like someone is home is among the best ways to keep your home safe.
A great way to do this is keep a car parked in your driveway.
Anyone walking or driving by would reasonably assume that someone is home and would think twice about committing a crime.
If you don’t have a car to park in the driveway, there are some other options.
You could have a friend house sit and park their car or could have your neighbor park in your driveway.
If you don’t have a car or a driveway, you could have lights automatically go on for a few hours every day, to make it look as if someone is home.
Have a Neighbor Take Your Mail
If you plan on traveling for a long period of time, it is a good idea to have someone come and collect your mail.
Most of us get several pieces of mail, and it can add up to a full mailbox very quickly.
A full mailbox is one of the telltale signs of someone being away, and could be an invitation to criminals.
By having your friend or neighbor collect your mail every week or so, it will ensure your home looks as if someone is home and is collecting the mail as normal.
If this isn’t an option, you could also put a hold on your mail, to prevent your mailbox from overflowing.
Keep Your Travel Plans Relatively Private
While we are all excited when we travel, it’s a good idea to keep that excitement off of the internet if possible.
If you make a lot of posts on social media about your trip, and when you are leaving, that information could find itself in the wrong hands.
You don’t want potential thieves to know that your home is empty.
In general, wait until you have returned safe and sound from your trip before you post about it.
It can be difficult, but it can help keep your home and property safe and sound.
Of course, feel free to tell close friends and family, but be careful how (or where) you talk about your trip plans.
Have Your Yard Maintained
A messy yard and unkempt lawn can also be a big sign that you are gone, that potential criminals could use.
Long grass, weeds growing, dead plants and other problems could signify to some that no one is living in the home.
As a result, be sure to have a way to keep your yard in good shape when you are gone.
While you could have friends or family come and mow the lawn and water the plants, you could also hire a third-party company to come maintain your yard weekly.
Of course, if you have a low-maintenance yard, such as one with rocks instead of grass, you might be able to get away without keeping it maintained.
In conclusion, we hope the tips in this article have been able to help you keep your home safe while traveling.