Tips for Keeping Your Outer Banks Home Safe While You are on Vacation
After spending a wonderful week away with friends and family you arrive home and notice that something is out of place. The front door is slightly open and you are sure you closed and locked it when you left. You peek inside and find that while you were out of town that thefts have made off with your TVs and other electronics as well as other personal items. The happiness from that glorious week of rest and relaxation has been ruined and you are wondering what you could have done to prevent this from happening.
Here are a few tips to help lower the risk of your home being targeted and burglarized:
1. Ask your neighbors to keep an eye on your property while you are gone.
One of the best ways to protect your home is to be a good neighbor. Especially when you need them to keep an eye on your home while you are away. You get to know your neighbors and talk to them regularly, you can mention that you will be going out of town and that you would appreciate them keeping an eye on things while you are away and that you would offer to do the same for them. Be sure to provide them with your cell phone number to call if there are any concerns or problems.
You can also contact your local Police Department and let them know that you will be going on vacation; they will send an extra patrol to check out your home by driving by and sometimes will park and walk around your house to be sure no doors or windows are ajar. This is a great extra level of security.
2. Place your lights and/or electronics on timers
When your house is dark in the evenings for a week straight, that is a good sign that you must be out of town. It is also an indicator if lights are left on 24/7. Timers are inexpensive and easy to use. You can set them to come on at dusk and go off at 11 pm. There are also timers available that you can use with your smartphone and even LED bulbs that can be programmed to come on and off using your smartphone. These types of devices are available at our local Home Depot. Radios are a great thing to plug into a timer. Consider having your Lawn cut while you are gone. One of the biggest giveaways that a person is not home is an unkempt yard. Consider finding a neighborhood kid, family member, friend, or landscaping company to mow your lawn while you are away. It’s also great to come home after a relaxing vacation and not have to worry about cutting the grass!
3. Contact the Post Office to Stop the Mail Delivery
A mailbox overflowing or a bunch of packages on the front step is clear indications that someone hasn’t been home for a while. You can stop your mail delivery at www.usps.com very easily and can even set it up so that accumulated mail it delivered once you return.
4. Consider Leaving the Blinds Open (If You Normally Do)
If you normally leave your blinds open, then leave them open while you are gone. It may seem strange and you might feel that you don’t want anyone looking into your home while you are.
5. Be very Cautious of Social Media
In our modern world of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, everyone’s vacation are instantly shared on the internet for the entire world to behold. It is tempting to post your photos right as you snap them to show off to your friends and family. What that does, however, is broadcast to the world that you aren’t home right now, and your stuff is ripe for the taking. So skip the photo-posting, checking in, and status updates like “Off to the airport!”
6. Be sure to Lock Everything!
Common sense tells you to lock all doors and windows but it doesn’t hurt to double check and including deadbolts. Double hung windows have been known to slide open during severe rain and wind storms to make sure they are locked and secured. And don’t forget to secure your outside trash can(s) and secure your outside shower door.
If you have an automatic garage opener (rather than a manual door that you have to open and close by hand), you are already pretty secure. It is possible to install a deadbolt type lock on the garage door as another security measure.
7. If you typically have a spare key outside, DO NOT LEAVE IT OUT!
If you have a spare key hidden somewhere such as under a doormat or in a fake rock, now is the time to remove them. If a would-be thief knows you’re away, they’ll feel free to take their time in searching for spare keys. They also know all the most common hiding spots way better than you do, so don’t try fooling them.
8. Consider placing your Valuables in the Safe
While we are home, there is often cash, jewelry, family heirlooms, etc. that are out for our use and enjoyment. When you go away, however, it is best to put all of that stuff into your safe or in a safety deposit box at the bank. Just in case your home is broken into, the bad guys won’t get to your truly valuable stuff.