How to Protect Your Home when You Are Away on Vacation

There are no guarantees that your home will be safe when you are away on a vacation but there are ways to reduce the risk of your house being broken in to while you are gone.

First things first, when you pack up the car don't do it in broad daylight either pack the car in the middle of the night, or in the early morning light. Make sure there are no cars in the area where people are sitting in them and no one standing around outside. Pack the car in the garage if at all possible. Seeing someone pack up their car with suitcases and such is a sure clue that they will be leaving the house empty for at least a couple of days.

If you have more than one car in the family park the car you will not be taking on the trip in the driveway even if you normally keep it in the garage. A car in the driveway leads people to think you are there. If you only have one car in your household ask a neighbor to park their car in your driveway from time to time. Make sure to tell any neighbors who will be watching your house for you that a neighbor might be parking their car there and you should also tell them the make model and color of the car.

Have a neighbor you trust keep an eye on your house.

Keep your drapes and blinds as you normally do. If you usually have them a little opened and suddenly close them all it could be a good indication that you are not there.

Invite someone to house sit for you if possible.

Set timers on one or more lights to go on and off at certain times. If that is not possible leave a light on that is central to the house. The front entry light is not the best choice as that might look too staged. A light towards the back of the home that can be faintly seen from the front is a good choice.

You will likely want to unplug most things while you are gone but leave a TV or radio on.

Don't leave any indication on your answering machine that you will be gone.

Don't post on Facebook or other social networking sites that you will be gone. You may trust your Facebook friends but people connected to them that you don't know may also see the postings. Share all your vacation details after you get back home.

Have the post office stop your mail.

Put your newspaper on vacation hold. Lots of papers on the driveway is a good indication that no one has been home for a few days.

If you forget to cancel your newspapers you can always call while you are on your trip and cancel them. Call a neighbor or friend that you trust and ask them to please collect the papers off of the driveway for you. If you forget to cancel your mail ask someone that you trust to come and collect it for you and keep it until you get home.

As I said there is no guarantee that your house will not be broken in to no matter how hard you try to fool potential robbers so hide valuables someplace where thieves won't likely look for them. Perhaps in the bottom of the kid's toy box. Just be sure to get them out of there as soon as you get home. Remember thieves will check under the mattress and in drawers first.

Take pictures of valuables and electronics to provide to your insurance company in case they are stolen.

Follow these steps and you will be less likely to become a victim of a home break in while you are away on vacation.