According to the FBI, more burglaries occur in July and August than in any other months of the year, the height of the vacation season. Don’t allow your home to become another statistic during these months (or ever!).
Make sure your home is safe and secure even when you are not home. Easy, preventive home security steps taken prior to travel can help save you from burglaries, home fires, and flooding.
Preventing Home Burglary while Traveling
1. Do not announce your travel plans in public areas close to home where your conversation can be overheard by others.
2. Notify a trusted neighbor of your travel dates. Leave a spare key with them in case of any emergency. Ask them for simple favors such as:
Putting your garbage out on garbage day, or their own in front of your house
Clearing away flyers, notes, and packages left in doors and mailboxes
Occasionally parking their car in your driveway or in front of your home
3. Properly close and lock all windows and doors. Use quality deadbolt door locks. You would be surprised how easy it is to open a lock without a deadbolt.
4. Keep your garage door locked at all times.
5. Do not hide a spare key in mailboxes, under doormats, above doorways or somewhere visible from the entry.
6. Do not let valuables be seen from the outside of your home.
7. Leave curtains slightly parted so your home doesn’t look empty.
8. Put mail on hold or get a secure mailbox. The post office will hold your mail for a specific amount of time with a simple request. Large, locked mailboxes are better for frequent travelers.
9. Suspend any daily newspapers
10. Install automatic timers for lights, radio and TV’s, preferably at random or programmed intervals to create visual and audible deceptions.
11. Install motion-sensor outdoor lights around your home. Mount them high enough to prevent intruders from disabling.
12. Document your valuables either by making a list, taking pictures, or videotaping high-value items and sentimental items. Store important documents in a security box at the bank or if possible, make multiple copies and store at a trusted friend or family member’s home. This will help you file an insurance claim in the event of a lost or stolen item. This tip is also useful in case of natural disasters.
13. Mark your valuables with an identification number. Your local police department can assist you with this. You can engrave or etch your driver’s license number on to valuables, if stolen and later recovered, police can track you down through the department of motor vehicles.
14. Never leave an answering machine message indicating you are not at home, you are on vacation, or you are away and will return on a specific date or time. Instead, just say you "can't come to the phone"
Preventing Home Fires while Traveling
1. Make sure your rain gutters are clear of dry leaves and evergreen needles that can easily catch fire.
2. Turn off and unplug portable heaters, hair dryers, irons, curling or straighten irons, toasters, most kitchen appliances, etc. Air conditioner should be turned off and the heat should be lowered to 60*F. Check the washer and dryer units and turn them off.
3. Turn off all lights and dispose of any oily rags or anything flammable in a safe container. If you have a fireplace, be sure there the flue is completely closed, ashes are cooled, and there is no potential for fire.
Preventing Home Flooding while Traveling
1. Turn off all faucets and fix any linking faucets prior to travel, including faucets outside the house.
2. If freezing temperatures are predicted, open cabinets under the sinks or ones that may be the water pipes. Ask the trusted neighbor who knows you are leaving to, if possible, run your water during a freeze to prevent the pipes from bursting in your house.
3. If you have an indoor hot tub, it may be wise to drain the water out to prevent any leaks or electrical malfunctions.
*Content expressed in Home Security Source does not represent the thoughts and opinions of ADT Security Services, Inc. unless explicitly indicated.