So, you’re getting away for a bit. You lock up the house, close the garage door, turn on a few timers to control the lights, and then head off on your vacation. But is your house truly safe and secure while you’re away? Do you have a plan in place in case of an emergency, such as a broken gas line or a tree falling on your roof?
While getting away from home is a great way to relax and reduce stress, the truth is that protecting your house while you’re gone is essential for you to be able to completely unwind. Just like you wouldn’t leave work for an extended period without ensuring all loose ends are tied up, you shouldn’t leave your home without making sure it’s well-protected.
There are several ways to safeguard your home while you’re away. One of the most popular options is hiring a home sitter. If there’s a young adult in your neighborhood whom you trust to ‘live’ in your home while you’re gone, you can rest easy knowing that not only will your house appear occupied, but also that any issues will be addressed immediately. This is especially useful if you have pets, as the sitter can care for them while also monitoring the house. On average, home sitting services in the U.S. cost between $15 and $25 per day. The price may increase if the sitter is also taking care of pets. That said, asking someone you know and trust could be less expensive and ensures you’re familiar with the person staying in your home. Even so, if you hire a home sitter, make sure to secure all important documents, valuables, and weapons.
Another option is to ask a neighbor to watch your home. Be sure to ask them to pick up your mail daily and to be aware that you’ll be away. This way, if they notice any unusual activity, they’ll know to immediately call 911. Ensure that the neighbor has a key to your house so they can check inside if necessary. And yes, they will likely look through your medicine cabinet, so if there’s anything you’d prefer they not see, make sure to hide it.
The following tips can help keep your home safe and secure while you’re away:
- Avoid posting on Facebook or other social media sites about when and for how long you’ll be gone. Keep in mind that much of the information you share online can be seen by others, and advertising that your house is empty only invites thieves.
- If no one will be around to collect your mail, use a mail-holding service or have your mail forwarded.
- Keep lights on timers on all floors of your home. Consider leaving a simple radio on as well, so if a thief approaches, they’ll hear noise from inside. Motion sensors for outdoor lighting are also a good precaution and are easy to install. Leaving outdoor lights on all day is a dead giveaway that you’re not home, so set them on a timer to come on at dusk instead.
- Stop newspaper deliveries or any other daily deliveries to your home.
- It may sound simple, but many people forget to secure all the doors and windows of their home and garage. Before you leave, do a quick double-check to ensure all windows and doors are locked, including basement and garage doors.
- Make sure someone knows where you’ll be at all times. Provide them with your cell phone number and important contact information for nearby family members, in case something urgent happens, such as a tree falling on your roof. This way, your loved ones can help handle any major problems while you’re on your way back.
- Before you leave, have your grass cut, trash taken out, and any normal yard maintenance completed. Nothing screams “empty house” more than knee-high grass and overflowing trash cans. If you’ll be gone for an extended period, arrange for someone to take care of your yard while you’re away.
While it would be nice to imagine that we can simply lock up and leave for vacation without a worry in the world, the reality is that homes are broken into or vandalized every day. Criminals are savvy, and they’re on the lookout for homeowners who haven’t taken proper precautions before leaving for vacation, which makes their job much easier. You’ll feel much better knowing that your home is being looked after properly, which will help you enjoy your vacation (or business trip) even more.
