Winter holidays are a time when many people travel away from home for a few days to spend some time with friends and family. And you can bet that theives know this as well. But there are a few things that you can do to keep your home and valuables safe while you're away.
Lock Up
This may sound really obvious but so many people don't lock up their home as well as they should. The best locks in the world won't help you if you don't use them. And be sure the locks on doors to the outside of your home have heavy-duty deadbolts and that the doors themselves are substantial. Those wimpy push-and-twist lock on the doorknob just won't cut it. Don't forget the door to your garage. Treat this as an outside door. If your garage has any windows or doors these should be locked up tight as well.
Windows and sliding glass doors should all be locked as well. For sliding glass doors, place a thick dowel in the track behind the door to prevent it from opening. Install anti-lift locks as well. Double hung windows should be locked at both the top and bottom. Remove the cranks from casement windows.
And if you have outbuildings like sheds or pole barns be sure to secure these as well so that you don't harbor any unwanted visitors and to protect your tools and equipment.
Get A Little Help
Enlist a neighbor you trust who you know will be home to watch over your house while you are gone. Preferably choose retired people or anyone who stays home during the day. They know the traffic flow of your neighborhood during the day and can keep an eye out for any unusual activity. If you know them well and trust them, consider giving them a key so that they can check in on the house from time to time - especially if you will be gone for an extended period of time.
You can also give your neighborhood police a call and ask them to swing by your house on occasion. They will put you on a list and drive by throughout your vacation. If crooks see a cop car going by they are going to think twice about trying to break in.
Be Smart About Your Stuff
Porch light on 24/7, mail falling out of your mailbox, newspapers piled up on your stoop, unshoveled driveways, and posts on facebook about all the fun your having while you're away....not so smart!! C'mon friends, be smart about being away. Put indoor lights on timers and in different rooms of your house to mimic the actions of when you are home. Have a neighbor grab your mail and suspend your newspaper until you're back. Arrange to have someone shovel your driveway and sidewalk if it snows or at the very least to drive into your driveway and stomp around on your sidewalks a bit so that it looks like someone is comeing and going. And wait to post those pictures on social media sites until you are home.
Scrutinize Your Landscaping
Don't give theives a place to hide. Trim bushes that are close to your house, especially near entrance points. Be sure that you can see your front door easily from the street. Trim tree branches that are close to upper level windows. And install motion detector lights. Beautify your home and keep it safe at the same time by installing landscape lighting. Burglers hate lights.
Install A Security System
If you are the type who travels a lot or travels for extened periods of time, you may want to consider installing a security system. Not only do these systems make noises and lights, they also notify the police and you if a break in occurs. Sometimes just the sign in the yard is enough to deter theives. Technology is progressing to a point where you can monitor your home from your mobile device. Soon you will be able to control all sorts of things in your home while you're away, like turning lights and electronics on and off, closing shades, turning off water...all at the touch of the keypad. A security system may also win you a discount with your home insurance provider.
If you're going over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house this Thanksgiving or anytime of the year, please keep safe! If you have any other tips on home safety, please share.
Source: Michelle Schwake for Stafford Family Realtors
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