Keep Your Home Safe While Your Family is on Vacation

Standing in line at the grocery store, the woman in front of me was loudly announcing her upcoming vacation. Apparently, her family was leaving that evening for a stay at a rental home on the beach. Although she was explaining her purchases, and most likely attempting to brag a little, it got me thinking how dangerous her admission could be.

The summer months are popular with both travelers and home burglars. The Bureau of Justice statistics state that 65.8 percent of all burglaries are residential. Looking for unoccupied homes is not difficult if you are announcing to anyone who can hear that you are planning a trip. Make sure you, and your children, take proper precautions to deter thieves and keep your belongings safe while you are away.

Be neighborly. Ask a trustworthy neighbor to keep an eye on your home while you are gone. Recently one of my neighbors paid my son to mow his grass once a week while he was on an extended business trip. Foot-high grass is a glaring clue that no one is home.

Suspend deliveries. A pile of newspapers is a welcome mat to thieves. Call the paper and have delivery stopped while you are gone. Do the same with the postal service and any other delivery service you receive regularly.

Eliminate easy entry points. The obvious step is to be sure to lock all windows and doors. Remove any "extra keys" from secret hiding spots. Invest in a door security bar for sliding glass doors, or simply cut a piece of wood to fit.

Stop announcing your departure. This means in the grocery store, as well as on social networking sites. I cringe whenever I see friends posting detailed itineraries on Facebook. Let your friends hear all about the trip when you get back, not before. Remind your kids to keep details quiet too.

Turn down the phone volume. Continuous unanswered phone calls is a handy signal for burglars. Also, do not say on your answering machine that you are in Jamaica.

Leave the light on. Set your lights on a timer or randomizer to make it look like there is activity in the home.

Rethink hiding spots. If you think putting your valuables in your underwear drawer is clever, think again. Thieves look in three common hiding spots; closet, freezer and dresser drawer. Invest in a home safe, or be a little more creative.

Protect identity. Stop tech savvy thieves from walking away with more than just your grandmothers wedding ring by installing password protection on your home computer and hiding that notebook labeled "Passwords" somewhere other than the top left desk drawer.

References:
Bureau of Justice Statistics


More by Sylvie Branch:
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Protect your valuables on vacation