Before you hit the road or go abroad, check out our home safety tips! Then download our safety checklist, found at the bottom of this blog, and check off each item to ensure your home is secure while you’re away!
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Lock up. It seems obvious to lock your front door before leaving on vacation, but
don’t forget to lock all doors and windows before heading out. If you have a garage door, be sure to lock it as well as any door that may lead from your garage to your home. Additionally, consider unplugging your automatic garage door opener before leaving. -
Remove your spare key. If you’re like most people, you probably have a spare house key hidden somewhere around the outside of your home. It’s best to bring this in before leaving for vacation. An accessible spare house key can give criminals, or even neighbors and friends that may know about it, unwarranted access to your vacant home.
- Shut it off. If you’re going to be away for a long time, shut off the gas and water in your home. This will help prevent any flooding, leaks, or gas fires that may occur while you’re away.
- Unplug. If you are going to be away for a while, consider unplugging some of your appliances, like your desktop computer, coffee maker, and TV. Not only will this save you money on your utility bill, but it can also help to protect your electronics from power surges.
don’t forget to lock all doors and windows before heading out. If you have a garage door, be sure to lock it as well as any door that may lead from your garage to your home. Additionally, consider unplugging your automatic garage door opener before leaving.- Make it look like you never left. One of the best ways to deter criminals from targeting your home is to make it look like you are living there, even while you’re away. The best way to do this is to set timers that turn your lights and TV on at times that a
re normal for you. Do not close all the curtains in your house and leave on a few lights, unless that is what you typically do; the idea is to keep your home looking as normal as possible. Further, if you plan on being gone for an extended period of time, have landscapers come to prevent your yard from looking overgrown and abandoned. -
See what passersby see. Before leaving, take a walk around the perimeter of your house. Look at your home and through your windows to see what others can see, specifically if you have any expensive or appealing items inside that are visible from the street. If so, try to move them out of view of the window. This will lower the chance that criminals will be able to identify items of interest in your home.
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Secure your air conditioning units. Check that any window AC units are properly installed and cannot be pushed in or pulled out for unwarranted access to your home.
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Arrange for someone to take in your mail for you. If you’re going to be away for more than a day, arrange for a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member to stop by and collect any mail or packages you may receive while you’re away. Not only is your mail at risk for theft if left unattended, but an overflowing mailbox and packages sitting by your door shows others that you are not home, making your house a target for break-ins and burglaries.
re normal for you. Do not close all the curtains in your house and leave on a few lights, unless that is what you typically do; the idea is to keep your home looking as normal as possible. Further, if you plan on being gone for an extended period of time, have landscapers come to prevent your yard from looking overgrown and abandoned.
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Protect your pets. Make arrangements, with neighbors, friends, or professionals, to ensure that all of your pets (fish and dogs alike!) will be comfortable and cared for in your absence.
Click the house below to download our Home Safety Checklist to make sure you don't miss a thing while securing your home!
