Security Professionals Site

When you’re planning to go out of town, whether for just a night or a few weeks, you should always take precautions to ensure your home is secure.  There are a number of easy signs burglars may look for that indicate the owners of a home are away.  In addition to setting your alarm system and locking all doors, follow these 5 tips so that you can have peace of mind while you’re away.

1. Never allow mail or newspapers to pile up.  One glance at an unchecked mailbox and a burglar will immediately assume you are away.  Have a neighbor or friend collect your mail or request the post office hold it for a period of time until you return.
2. Don’t leave notes on your door. A common mistake many people make is to leave notes for housekeepers or pet sitters taped to a door.  It is just as easy to call prior to your departure to give the necessary instructions, and a note left on a door might as well be a welcome sign for an ill-intended visitor.
3. Create an illusion that there is activity at home.  No one wants to waste electricity but leaving on a few strategic lights or perhaps a radio can give the impression that people are home, which will deter burglars, thus saving you much more than the few extra dollars on your electricity bill.
4. Make sure the yard is kept up.  If you are going to be gone for more than a week, be sure to mow the grass and trim any unruly bushes before leaving.  If your vacation is going to be particularly long, consider hiring a lawn care service or gardener to keep up the yard.  A yard left untamed is another easy clue to burglars that you aren’t around.
5. Avoid hiding keys around your house.  As much as you may think you’ve found the perfect, secure hiding place for your key, it could probably be easily found by a burglar.  If you’re planning on leaving a key for someone, try to arrange a meeting to give them a key instead of leaving it outside.  If it absolutely cannot be avoided, be sure to choose a very unusual location; not a typical hiding spot such as under a doormat or in a flower pot.