Each year, there are more than 2.15 million burglaries with the majority of home invasions occurring in the peak vacation months of July and August. Going on vacation can be one of the most relaxing things in the world, but before you depart, here are a few ideas to help keep intruders at bay while you’re on vacation.
Keep Y
our Home Well Lit – Place light timers inside your house to light up your house when it is dark out. Burglars tend to not flock to homes that are well lit and where they will be visible.
Trustworthy Neighbor- Ask a trustworthy neighbor or friend to keep an eye on your house while you’re away. Be sure to tell them if you are expecting any visitors over the course of your trip so that they can be aware.
Stop Delivery of Your Newspapers or Mail – Either put a hold on your mail and newspaper service, or have a neighbor collect them for you daily. A build up of mail or newspapers is a good indicator to burglars that you are on vacation. Another way to hide your mail is by getting a larger sized locked mailbox. This will ensure that your mail is not visible intruders.
Examine Your House Before You Leave- Make a checklist of all possible entrance paths for intruders and ensure that they are well locked and secured.
Hide All Valuables – Be sure to hide all of your valuables so that they are not visible from the windows. This way, intruders won’t have more of a reason to break in.
Security System – Homes without a monitored security alarm system are three times more likely to be burglarized or robbed than those with a monitored home security system. Nightwatch Protection is now offering a FREE home security system that will help keep your home protected even when you’re not on vacation.
Window Decals – Security system decals located on your front door is a great way to help scare off burglars.
Cameras – Weather it is a real camera, or a fake camera, if intruders think they will get caught, they will be less likely to break in.
Home Telephone – Don’t ever leave a voice mail message saying “We’re not home right now” or “We’re on vacation and won’t be back for a week.” This assures intruders that you won’t be home. Also, turn the ringer down on your house phone, or change it to 1 ring. If they can hear that no one is answering the phone, they will assume you are not home.
By following these helpful hints, you are on your way to a better protected home. These tips will help keep your stress levels down, so that you can fully enjoy your vacation.
Every homeowner knows that there is a probability for a home invasion to occur in their homes, but how do they know exactly what attracts a burglar to a home in the first place? Anyone thinking about purchasing or who already owns a home needs to be clued in on the signs that criminals look for when it comes to targeting a prospective home invasion site. Take notes and see if your house is sending signals that deter or invite unwelcome guests. It may take more than just a home alarm system to keep them away.
The following lists some key vulnerabilities that criminals look out for when determining a good potential burglary site.
1. Uncollected mail in mailbox
2. Lights off for an extended period of time
3. Closed curtains
4. Open or unlocked windows or doors
5. Boxes of high-priced items
6. Valuables placed near windows and visible to outsiders
7. No fences or gates enclosing property
8. No sign advertising a home security alarm system is on the property
9. Low, adjustable security lights
10. Hedges or trees surround your property
There are a few reasons that these items make it to the list. The first reason is that some of these items may signal you are not home, whether it be that you are away on a long vacation or that you are busy and running in and out of your house throughout the day. Next, some of these items signal that there are valuable possessions inside the house that would be worth stealing, validating the burglar’s suspicions of targeting your house. Finally, other items on the list may send the message that a home security alarm system is absent or can be easily compromised.
To avoid sending any of these signals to a criminal:
- Make arrangements with a friend or family member whenever you are away from your home for an extended period of time to keep up with household duties and to spend some time in the house each day to make it look as if the house is occupied.
- Do your best to keep valuables inside your home away from any windows, so no one can see inside and take inventory of your possessions and cut down all boxes of high-end items before placing them outside.
- Invest in or reinforce your house security system and install high positioned lights and high fences and gates around your property. Also make sure that a sign branding the alarm system you own is displayed outside your home. If you have bushes or trees surrounding your home, consider replacing them with a fence or wall instead, as the natural barrier provides coverage for burglars entering and exiting your home.
- Secure all windows and doors at night and whenever you leave your house, leaving no easy points of access for intruders.
It can seem easy enough to install a security system in your home and think you are done with home protection , but the truth is that it isn’t that easy. Make sure that your home doesn’t exemplify any of the indicators of faulty home security that were listed to help lower the probability of your house being a potential break in site. And of course, don’t forget to share these tips with your neighbors to try to have an all-around more secure neighborhood.
our Home Well Lit – Place light timers inside your house to light up your house when it is dark out. Burglars tend to not flock to homes that are well lit and where they will be visible.