Don’t Advertise Your Vacation Plans

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:55:50 +0000

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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Creating a Burglar-Proof Home

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:54:58 +0000

Even if you aren’t planning any big vacations, there are many ways to improve the day to day security of your home. Locking doors and activating your alarm at night and whenever you leave the house is the most important form of home protection. However, following these few rules will help make your home one from which a potential burglar will walk away.

Don’t leave valuables in plain sight. It may be habit to put your purse or keys in a certain place every day, but it that location is in view of a window or glass door it could be easily seen by anyone outside. When you’re home or away always put valuables out of view, so as not to tempt a potential burglar.
Trim shrubs and trees that grow around your house. Never let outdoor plants grow so that they block windows or provide significant cover around the perimeter of your house. A burglar loves a well-hidden home. If he would be well concealed from the street when inside your home, the chances of your house being broken into greatly increase.
Always keep your garage door shut when you aren’t around. Most people store some amount of valuable items in their garage, and if the door isn’t even shut all a burglar has to do is walk in and walk out. Also keep any cars outside or in a garage locked at all times.
Advertise your home security system. Obviously, setting your alarm is key, but putting the company sign in your yard or a sticker on your window immediately alerts a burglar that the home is protected and they will probably keep on walking.
Install motion detector lights. These are particularly useful at night. A burglar is strongly deterred from a home where he is easily visible. These lights are relatively inexpensive and can go a long way to protecting your home and valuables.

Security Professionals Site » Security Tips

Don’t Advertise Your Vacation Plans

Creating a Burglar-Proof Home