Everybody looks forward to a vacation where people can relax, spend time with family, and partake in fun activities away from their daily grinds. Vacations are good for our physical and mental health; they can help people find renewed motivation, improve family relationships, help people develop new perspectives, and improve productivity.
Vacations can be a fantastic way to relax and unwind; however, much more behind the scenes goes into planning a vacation than is evident at first glance. For example, before leaving on vacation, it is vital to make sure your home and possessions you are leaving behind are secure.
Before leaving to enjoy a vacation, ensuring your home is safe and secure is essential, and adopting the "better safe than sorry" approach is always a good idea. Make a security checklist and run through it to ensure all the necessary precautions have been taken.
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Here are some home security tips that you can use to ensure your home is safe and secure while you are away on vacation.
According to locksmith denver experts, the first step in making your home secure while you're away on vacation is locking all your doors. Before leaving, check all your door and window locks. If any of them are old or no longer working, you can get a professional locksmith company to appraise the lock situation in your home and make recommendations on how it can be improved.
You can disconnect an automatic garage door opener to place a padlock along the track. Smart locks are another means of securing your home. Using the internet, you can access your smart locks from anywhere in the world and control your home security from thousands of miles away.
Investing in a monitored security system will probably be the most critical decision you will ever make when it comes to home security. A monitored security system makes your house more secure when you are home, but more importantly, when you are away.
Monitored security systems involve sensors that are placed strategically inside and outside your home. The sensors pick up movement, sensing when your windows or doors are being opened. When the sensors pick up movement, they will trigger an alarm and send a message to your alarm company, which will then alert the police.
A doormat covered in letters and other mail is an obvious indicator of an empty house, and it is one of the signs burglars look for when scouting for a house to burglarize.
You can visit the USPS website and request a temporary suspension of your mail delivery. It is also a good idea to pause any regular deliveries, especially if you are going to be away from home for an extended period. You can even ask a neighbor or friend to pick up your mail and keep it until you return from vacation.
Ask a friend, a family member, or your neighbor to drop by your home and have a look around regularly. It is best to ask the person checking your home to drop by every few days and check if all windows are closed and the doors are locked.
The idea is to make your house look like someone's there while you are away, which will often deter burglars. One way to do it is by setting a timer for your electronic devices. Timers can be programmed to turn your electronic devices (TV, radio, lights, etc.) automatically on and off at certain times - better if the times correspond to when you would usually be home.
Leave your car in the driveway - that is, if you're not using your car to drive to your vacation destination, of course. Leaving your car in the driveway makes it look like someone is at home.
A significant part of home security is appearances. If your home looks occupied or has an active security system, it will deter burglars. However, active security systems are expensive, so some people opt for the cheaper option of installing a fake security system.
Stickers, decoy security signs, and even imitation cameras can make it look like your property has a fully functional security system, which will deter any would-be burglars.
One of the first things burglars look at when determining if a house is occupied is the state of the lawn. A mowed lawn gives the impression a house is occupied, whereas an unkempt lawn gives the impression that the house is vacant.
If you are on vacation, ask a friend or a neighbor to mow your lawn, so your house appears occupied.
Homeowners are increasingly turning to reliable security companies for smart security systems. Smart security systems are particularly convenient when you are on vacation and away from home because they enable you to view your home remotely from anywhere with an internet connection. Watching and monitoring your home even when you are thousands of miles away gives you peace of mind.
High-quality locks are essential for maintaining home security. Make sure your locks are made from sturdy, durable material, have a properly functioning locking mechanism, and come with a warranty. Knowing you can rely on your door locks to prevent intruders from entering your home while you are on vacation will definitely put your mind at ease, even when you're miles away.
One effective method of deterring burglars is to install motion-activated smart lighting. Strategically placed motion-activated smart lights can illuminate dark or shadowy pathways and significantly reduce the hiding areas for burglars.
Motion-activated smart lighting will turn on automatically when movement is detected and turn off again when there's none.
The smart doorbell and monitor are a comparatively recent addition to modern-day home security systems. Smart surveillance doorbells can be used as cameras and speakers that allow you to see and talk with whoever is knocking on your door. Often these smart surveillance systems come in the form of an app and can be used even on your cell phone.
By following the basic procedures outlined in this article, you can bolster the security of your home and significantly reduce the likelihood of having your home robbed while you are away on vacation.
