Vacation Precautions

We’re right in the middle of June, which is a clear sign that vacation season has started. The next three months are going to be busy in terms of travel. Many people will be headed to vacation hotspots such as Florida, California, Chicago, and more. Others will be heading to visit family and friends. Some will even be leaving for international destinations. No matter where you are going, it is important you protect your home while you are gone.

This goes for everyone, whether you are in an apartment or house. While all of these tips won’t apply to every situation, many of them will. So take some time to read on and get some home security safety tips for while you are away! You’d be surprised at how much your mail can give away!

·         Ask a friend, neighbor, or family member to pick up your mail while you are away. A full mailbox is a clear sign that you aren’t home. This could get your mail stolen, or worse, your home broken into. If you live in an apartment, it may be good to alert your landlord that someone else will be picking up your mail so there’s no confusion.

·         If you don’t want to put your loved ones through the hassle, eliminate the problem by having the post office hold your mail for the duration of your trip. You can do that on the USPS website, HERE. Hold mail has to be for a minimum of 3 days, and the maximum is 30 days. If you need mail to be held longer than 30 days, contact your local post office.

·         Make arrangements to have someone take care of lawn maintenance while you are away. This includes watering plants, mowing the lawn, etc. If your yard looks unkempt, thieves may know you are away and be more likely to target your home.

·         Let neighbors know you will be away, and who you will expect to stop by the house. This way if anyone suspicious approaches your home, there will be people keeping watch.

·         Make sure your home is well protected when you are away with locks on your windows or doors. If they can be easily broken, invest in something better!  

·         If you have lawn decorations and furniture, either move some of it inside, or ask neighbors to keep an eye on it. Weather can blow items around, and if no one is there to pick up your yard, it is an alert to thieves.

·         Don’t leave a key on the premises! If you want to let someone in to check on your home or apartment, leave the key with a trusted individual, not somewhere anyone could find it.

·         Do not make posts on social media about your vacation. This one can be difficult, but your information is never as private as you think. Also, don’t state in your voicemail that you are going to be away. Anyone trying to call you will know your home is unguarded.

·         Have someone pick up anything else left at your door. This includes flyers, yellow page books, and more. These and newspapers are a huge red flag.  

  Follow these tips to help protect your home while you are away!