How to Keep Your Home Safe When You Are on Vacation

There is much more to consider when planning a vacation than just booking your flight and packing your suitcase. Securing your home correctly before setting off will provide you with peace of mind, allowing you to travel with confidence and relax. Unfortunately, the excitement of the journey can cause you to overlook many minor yet essential details.

In a moment, you'll learn how to prepare yourself and protect your property. In this article, you will find a list of tips, ranging from emptying the mailbox and concealing valuables to preventing water damage and securing your garage. Following these suggestions will ensure that you do not encounter any surprises.

Preparing for Your Vacation

First of all, you'll need to decide which rooms require extra security measures. For example, you can think of the bathroom, kitchen, and garage as high-risk areas and focus on them first. Please note that not all of these suggestions will apply to every property; some may be more relevant to specific houses or apartments than others. You should assess your home and evaluate which measures are most appropriate for it.

Tips & Tricks for Securing Your Home While You're Away

As previously mentioned, there are many simple steps you can take to keep your home safe while you're away. We've created a list of the most important ones below. However, before we begin, we'd like to stress the importance of making a list of everything that needs to be done and checking it twice! This way, you won't forget any essentials.

Prevent Water Damage

Some people forget that running water can cause serious damage – especially in areas that experience freezing temperatures during winter. Make sure that you turn off any water lines when you leave and avoid using any machines or appliances that require water (such as washing machines or dishwashers) right before your departure.

Additionally, it might be a good idea to inspect all the pipes to ensure no leak appears while you're away. You can secure all the high-risk places; for example, choosing one of the Epoxy Floor coating styles for the garage floor may keep it safe in case of an accident as it's better at waterproofing.

It is recommended that you turn off any unneeded water valves and faucets in advance; otherwise, ice could build up inside them and cause significant damage when it melts after your return. Remember that frozen pipes are usually caused by too much cold air entering the pipe through an open window or door; this can be prevented by wrapping pipes with foam insulation or heating them with electric heat tape.

Garage Lock

When planning your trip, it's a good idea to secure your garage door if you have one. This way, burglars won't be able to get into your garage through the main entrance. If you have a garage door, make sure it is properly locked.

Mailbox

Another thing to consider is your mailbox. You should check your mail regularly and empty it when necessary. Ideally, you should do this two or three times a week. If you are going on vacation for an extended period, consider asking a family member or friend to collect your mail for you. Otherwise, anyone will quickly tell that no one's home.

Valuables

Make sure that all of your valuables are out of sight when you're not at home — for example, place jewelry in the safe or in a secret hiding place. You should also be sure to conceal items that may be tempting to thieves – such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones – by putting them in drawers or cabinets. Furthermore, if you can afford it, consider installing the latest security systems on your doors and windows. They'll provide additional protection against intruders.

Lights

It is also a good idea to put lights on timers. This will make it look like someone is home, which will reduce the likelihood of a break-in. Moreover, you can consider placing timers on your electronic devices and leaving them on charge during the day to create the illusion of life. Just be sure to turn them off at night, so they don't overheat and cause a fire hazard! Additionally, since burglars usually avoid bright lights, consider turning on the outdoor lights during the evening if possible.

Garbage

Make sure that garbage cans are tightly sealed and that the lids are closed. You should be sure to dispose of all other trash before your departure. This way, nothing will spoil and cause damage while you're away (e.g., mold growth or bad smell). It's more important if you use a regular trash can to throw out documents or old letters containing your personal information.

Windows & Doors

While you're packing for your trip, be sure to leave your blinds up during the day so no one can hide behind them and try to break in once you leave. Be sure to lock all doors and windows before heading out; however, if this is not possible, remember to close them securely and latch the top part of the window shutters so they cannot be opened from the outside. Additionally, you should consider installing keyless deadbolts or alarms on any exterior doors that lead directly out of the house; these will provide extra security against intruders trying to pry open your door from the outside. When locking up your home, avoid using keys that look like they may open multiple locks – burglars may notice them and target those doors specifically.

In Conclusion

Hopefully, this article has given you some good tips about how to keep your home safe while you're away. Remember that the most important thing is to plan ahead and be prepared. You should also have a trusted neighbor or friend check on your home every so often. Furthermore, if you discover any discrepancies when you return, be sure to report them to the police and contact your insurance company immediately.