Vacations can be an exciting time, but returning to a home that has had a home intrusion incident can erase the wonderful vacation time you have just experienced. Preparing your home before going away on all day, overnight, or an extended trip is a very important step to keeping your possessions and home safe. By following these few simple tips, you can feel at ease knowing that you have taken precautions for a happy homecoming. § Prior to your departure date, don't be overly expressive to others offering critical details about your plans for being away. Give pertinent information only to those that need it. (You can share the wonderful memories with all others once you return.) §
Prepare your home before leaving by: check all windows to ensure that they are in good working order check and replace any malfunctioning locks on doors and windows replace light bulbs with long-lasting bulbs to ensure they will remain on until your return take an overall look and mental picture of the entire outside premises § Install timers on lights, stereo equipment, and televisions in different rooms. Set them to randomly change, to appear as if someone was home. Apply this to outside lights also. § Arrange to have your yard maintained if you will be gone for an extended period of time. This would also include snow removal if appropriate. § Have a relative, friend or entrusted neighbor pick up your newspaper and mail daily. At this time they can also do a daily check of the premises. § Inform your local police department that you will be away for an extended period of time and ask if it is possible for them to drive by occasionally. § Don't leave a message on your answering machine, voicemail, or computer that indicates that you will be away. § Check messages on a daily basis to keep informed of events, and also to ensure that your messages don't add up and give an "all full" message to the caller, which could indicate that you are away. § Before leaving the house, check and secure all locks and windows, this includes pet and garage doors. § A house that has all shutters, curtains, and shades closed at all times of the day and night, usually says "nobody home here", so leave them open. § Upon arrival home, assess the outer perimeter for any changes before entering your home. |
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