Tips on how to protect your home while you're away!
Vacations are a great way to make lasting memories with friends and family. You can get to know new cultures, cuisines, and people. Trying new things is fun! But the one new thing you don’t want to do is come home to a burglarized home
"give yourself some peace of mind and enjoy your vacation"
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Make Sure All Doors and Windows Are Locked Before Leaving
Unlike the dramatic entries shown in movies, burglars tend to enter your home by walking in through an unlocked door or crawling in through an unlocked window. Locks serve as your first line of defense against intruders, so make sure that they work properly!
If you’re the forgetful type, you may want to consider smart locks, which enable you to lock and unlock your doors and windows remotely. Entry sensors are another good tool to have in case you forget to lock everything up. When armed, these sensors can send a signal to your smartphone or panel, which will then allow you to alert the proper authorities.
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Make It Look Like You’re Home
Keep a couple of lights on in your home. Better yet, set a timer that will automatically turn on your lights, especially at night. And be sure to have your outside lights scheduled to come on at night. Keeping the lights on makes it look like someone is home. Burglars are more likely to target homes that are dark or appear that no one is home.
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Don’t Announce Your Trip On Social Media
We live in a day and age where it’s common to share what’s on your mind and what you’re currently up to but be careful when you’re about to leave for a trip. Don’t announce that you’re leaving town (or when you're leaving town). You never know who is looking at your feed.
If you can’t resist uploading photos, just be sure to be to switch your account to private or friends only.
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Invest In Home Security Devices
With modern technology, protecting your home has never been easier. Home security systems can be customized to fit your family’s individual needs and best of all, can be accessed in a variety of ways, including on your smart devices. You can get immediate notifications and respond to emergencies and alarms all within an app or through messaging.
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Have Neighbors Check In
Your neighbors are a great—and free—resource to use when you're out of town. You can enlist them to water your plants, check the mail or watch a pet while you’re away. This way they can periodically check in on your home and make sure it is secure.
Also, talk with them and give them your vacation itinerary and contact info, so they know how to reach you if an issue arises.
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Collect Your Spare Keys
Before heading out, walk around your house and collect all the spare keys you have hidden. Burglars are getting smarter these days, and will look under your mats and flowerpots for keys.
Also, keep tabs on who has keys to your home and make sure they are responsible and will not misplace them.
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Don’t Cancel Your Lawn Care Or Snow Removal
Again, you want it to appear that you are home, even though you’re not. So, an overgrown lawn or unshoveled walkway can be dead giveaways that you haven’t been home in a while. If you do temporarily suspend these services, be sure to have a friend or neighbor take care of your home’s appearance.
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Turn Off Your Water And Adjust Your Thermostat
Lastly, make sure to turn off your water in order to prevent potential leaks or pipes bursting. This 1-minute chore can save you from potential home damage caused by a leaky pipe.
As for your thermostat while you're traveling, if it’s wintertime, set your thermostat between 55 to 60 degrees to make sure your pipes don’t freeze. In the summer months, you can set your thermostat to 85 degrees or higher. Don’t turn off your thermostat altogether, because it could cause issues with other appliances, such as your refrigerator.
Also, be sure to turn off your nonessential appliances.and any other electronics that have the potential for fires or power surges. These appliances can draw power even when not in use, so you can save on your next energy bill by switching them off when going on a long trip.
These eight tips will help improve your overall home security while on vacation. Plus, you’ll have a better peace of mind while on your vacation.
While you’re on vacation, or virtually anywhere with internet access through a mobile phone, desktop, or laptop. The added value this feature brings is well worth the extra investment in buying security cameras that are remote viewing ready. Watch over your home or business remotely for peace-of-mind, and to make sure your assets and loved ones are OK!
View your home or business security cameras from any computer or smart device!
Ask about our Night Vision Cameras for an even higher level of protection for dark and low light environments. Long Range Cameras are perfect for building mounted systems that need to protect larger parking lots or property. Pan Tilt Zoom Cameras allow you to survey an extremely large area of property with a smaller number of cameras.
FAQ's -
1) Who do I notify before I go away? Security company, credit card company so they know that it is you in a different location, and request the Post Office to hold mail
2) Is there a good place to hide a key? We do not recommend this. The “fake rock” is pretty obvious and under the doormat is also well known.
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We have more than fifty years of combined experience, ensuring the best service. Contact us for a free quote and for a complete review of your Home Security options. Call 860 496-7041.
