After collecting all those vacation leaves, finally you can go on that much awaited and very much needed vacation. With all the hype – you know, arranging tickets, packing up, cooking up a food supply – we often forget to prepare for the security of our soon-to-be-lonely house.
I’ve seen it happen again and again. On departure day, everyone’s panicking – hurrying to catch the plane while trying to stuff more t-shirts on the bag, mommy’s struggling to pack everybody a sandwich and all that jazz – these last minute roundabouts is what makes our house susceptible to burglary because we sometimes forget to lock doors, lock windows and turn on our home security systems. However, supposing you didn’t forget to lock locks, does that mean your house is now safe? Not exactly.
Here are 5 home security tips that you should consider aside from locking locks:
1. Stop Treating Strangers Like They’re You’re Best Friend
Ladies, I’m afraid there are some things inherent in our nature that, unfortunately, puts our homes in danger. What’s that? Our “blabbing” nature. We love to share information to other people. A professional burglar revealed that this is one tell that your house is going to be abandoned – a very easy target handed to them on a silver platter.
Ladies, while getting your hairs cut and nails done, don’t blab to attendants about your vacation. Restrain from revealing key details such as the date, how long, where you live. Even while attending your kid’s soccer games, or coffee shops. You never know when there might be an evil ear eavesdropping on your conversation.
2. Make It Look Like You’re At Home Even When You’re Not
Even if you don’t blab about a vacation to a stranger, there are still some ways to know whether a house has been temporarily abandoned such as:
- No lights
- Leaves accumulating in the yard
- Uncollected mail, newspapers, flyers on your door
- A “too quiet” house
These tells that your house is empty. If you have invested in a smart home with remote features and “timed-lights” that would be great because you can schedule them to automatically turn on during the night. Also, ask the post office to hold all your mail for the duration of your vacation. If I’m not mistaken, you can hold mail from 3-30 days. Have someone sweep your house occasionally, maybe you can ask a relative or a good neighbor.
3. Release The Beast!
Dogs are one of the best house bodyguards. Oh, and just to be clear, I am referring to big-ass dogs. Not Chihuahuas, not Shih-Tzus, I mean Bulldogs, German Shepherds, Dobermans – big-ass dogs not cute and cuddly ones! If you have a big-ass dog, then release the beast!
4. Have Someone Keep An Eye On Your House, Alert The Police
Though home security systems are a great asset for our home security, it wouldn’t hurt to get humans on the job as well. Ask a very trusted neighbor to keep a close watch on your house as well. If they see any suspicious cars slowing down and eyeing the house, have them call the police. Speaking of the police, it’d also be good to alert the police that you’ll be on vacation. This way, they can patrol your street often to keep an eye on your house. I just hope that your police ain’t dirty cops.
5. Be A Good Neighbor Yourself, Report!
You get what you give. You can’t expect to have a safe community if you’re not the kind of neighbor who participates. One small way you can contribute is to simply look out for your neighbors as well. Whenever you see suspicious people or cars eyeing their house, report to the cops immediately. If you see burglars trying to break in, alert the authorities. Be a trustworthy neighbor, only then can you receive good favors from your neighbors as well.
As you can see, home security goes beyond locks. Beyond gadgets. If you want to be safe, you have to live a lifestyle that promotes security.
Frank Cern
Using dogs as your frontline security tool really is one of the best ways to secure your home.
Sinbad Konick
Wow really informative post,
Seems like we should take care of all the security tips mentioned in the post.. and i must say all the tips are really helpful.
thanks
Darius
Good tips for someone who is leaving the house for a day or two. When you will be out of town for a week, it is best that you have someone to look over your house.
Shalin
If I’m going on a vacation, I might have to take my dog as well. There is nobody is our neighborhood who can handle my dog and feed him. Instead what I do is turning all the cameras on with the security system that automatically controls the light. It is pretty cool and big relief. Great post
etskamlesh
Using dog and your front line security is seftty for our home when i am go to the vocation in any where.Instead what I do is turning all the cameras on with the security system that automatically controls the light. It is pretty cool and big relief………….
Boomer Appleseed
I also hide my stuff. Not sure if it really helps since I’ve never been burglarized but I don’t want to me it too easy for the thiefs!
Debopam Banerjee
Nice suggestions…… Keeping dogs is a good option…… They are truly mans best friend…. But during vacation who will feed them………
Joe Hart
Having a dog makes my life a lot easier.Whenever i go for a vacation, i have complete peace of mind because i let him loose and make arrangements to feed it on a regular basis while i’m out..No burglars there…Great piece of information..Very useful.
priya
Now a days even money in ATM are robbed.So we can make use of gps technology to prevent robbery.That mean we can set a gsm to our lock..if its properly opened then no input to gsm…
Subodh
The points you mentioned are really great especially the timed lights and asking post office to hold mails. Just wondering if I had a dog and I leave him behind, who is going to feed him!
Jeremy Norton
Having a good relationship with neighbors is very important to also ask a favor during the times you are away from home. The tips you gave are all very useful.
Hamid
Thank you for great and most useful information. By reading this post now i am more conscious about my home security.
robi
very useful tips, i’m going overseas next month and no one will take care of the house. I’ll keep your tips in mind.
ataur
Thanks for nice security suggestion. It seems to me that any person follow this tips get help.
CK Hostad
It’s good that our pets can also our protectors!
Verandas
Dogs are the most faithful and reliable animal. previously i also one pug but after shifting here we gave him to dad’s friend….but still i missing him.
J
Good to know security tips. The last one is especially important. Having a good communication and relationship with your neighbors is really important. In fact, one of my neighbors stopped a robbery from happening to another neighbor of ours, simply because she was keeping an eye on the house.
Aurident
Oh Dogs are the best guard for your house. Once we went out to eat outside, when a burglar tried to break in and stole stuffs. Luckily, my Siberian Husky heard the commotion and started to bark fiercely and the neighbor heard it and saw the burglar.
Nauman
I would prefer to do two works. First, I will establish a good relationship with neighbours. Second, I will own a personal protection dog to protect my home in my absence. I would request the neighbours to feed it while I am alone. In this way, I can leave home for several weeks.
Sharon
Security Surveillance Systems are a good option to prevent break-ins. I use Vivotek cameras and Security Monitor Pro as a Security Surveillance software. Security Monitor Pro provides an important feature, it notifies me by email when an alert is triggered. I have caught several alarming incidents, and it helped me to prevent a disaster, while I was away on a long vacation.
HaileyLaw
Whenever I leave home for an outing, no matter how swift or long the day trip is, I keep the lights at the living room on and I leave slippers and shoes at the door. As far as strangers are concerned, I try to befriend the neighbors. Nice neighbors will look after each other. I am lucky to have mine look after my property whenever I am not around. :) Nice post you have here, by the way. :)
Jordan
Being a good neighbor help a lot. It is true that when our neighbor asks for their home to be watched, then do it because we don’t know that we will ask them that favor too. If releasing the beast, make sure the gate is locked that the dogs could not go out. I really like this article. It makes sense!
Kathryn Dilligard
Great tips for someone going on a long vacation. The ‘timed lights’ seems like a perfect idea.
Laura-Lee Walker
Just found out about a doorbell for your smartphone called DoorBot. It’s Wi-Fi enabled video doorbell that allows you to see and talk to any visitors that come to your door from anywhere you decide to go on vacation. Could help with home security.
Daniel Robert
Thanks for sharing such an informative post. These tips will definitely help people who want to go for a long vacation and want to get their home secured. Installing some security gadgets with the help of locksmith will make you more secure.
Darren Morgan
Adorable tips , Home security is essential for every home and specially when you are not at you home. Security systems really help you lot. Electronic security systems are also cost effective and long durable so good option to use.
lino pitter
Appreciate it with regard to sharing such an helpful publish. These pointers will definitely aid individuals who want to invest in a very long getaway along with want to get their property guaranteed. Setting up some security gadgets through locksmith is likely to make anyone better.
Dan
To keep your dogs at home while out of town is the best way to keep your home safe. It is also best if you put security cameras indoor/outdoor to keep you monitored.
Bill Behr
Police agree that a “big-ass” dog will help deter crooks from messing with your home. But while you are away for an extended period of time, you will probably need to take your dog with you or find a place for it to stay, which is why I like The Barking Dog Alarm to make it seem like there is a vicious dog in your home. Doesn’t need to be fed or walked but will watch your home day and night.
Delores Lyon
These are some really great tips for ensuring that your home is secure even when you’re gone. Making it look like you are home even when you aren’t is a great deterrent for potential robberies too. However, I think the best way to keep your home is to actually have a secure home. Make sure your deadbolts are working well and that all your windows are locked. I think that if your home is hard to get into, then burglars won’t mess with it.
Johnny
I like what you said about getting what you give. You really can’t expect others to help you if you are not willing to help others. It also starts to build a community of trust. That way you can trust your neighbors when you go out of town.
Matt
Really informative post. The best way to secure is to do what Macaulay Culkin did in Home Alone 1.
If you still need someone that would professionally help you.
Jack White
My mother would always leave the light on in the kitchen to make it look like someone is home. It seemed to have worked pretty well because no one ever broke in. I might do this in my home when we go out of town.
Correy Smith
During the summer time is when I take my family out for a little vacation to the outdoors. The things that my wife has me focus on is the safety of the home especially the recent security system that we had just bought a week ago. Of course we do turn them on when we’re away just in case something wrong goes on around the house.
Bryan Flake
It is striking to me how prevalent tip one is in my life. When I meet someone, I can see that I often give away little details of my personal life and my possessions. It would make me feel sick if I accidentally divulged my home security measures. Even talking to others about locksmith tactics I have employed, could be bad.
Theodore
There are many gadgets and system that can help us in securing our home. Before you leave your house for a vacation you can ask your neighborhood to watch for your house. You need to make sure that everything is lock and all the possible entrance to your house are properly locked.
Giovanni Morales
I personally have cameras but having a great personal protection dog can help this issue way better than cameras and alarms. A dog is a man’s the best friend!
Giovanni
The best security deterrent that you can have at home and long term investment is a personal protection dog. The Belgian Malinois is the best dog for these services they will put their life on ten line for you.
Julie Stevens
Great website! I’m lucky, we have a neighborhood watch system in my local area so I have peace of mind. I do always leave the lights on when I go out so intruders think someone’s in! I am going to get a home security system installed in the near future! Thanks.
Ken Humes
Hi,
Great post. Very useful and informative.
I like the 2nd and the 3rd point the most. Apart from that, one can also get home security camera systems installed that are compact in size and difficult to be detected by the burglars.
I thank you for sharing such an informative and relevant post.
Larissa
Living by yourself means you must be especially aware of your surroundings and trust your gut. If a person makes you feel uncomfortable or you witness a suspicious situation, don’t hesitate to do some background searching on your fellow neighbors or if it is someone you’ve never seen, a call to the police is quite helpful. You may also want to alert your neighbors and inform your landlord.
Roger
Thanks Vedant for your valuable info.Your tips are really amazing.
You don’t have to invest in a multi-million dollar surveillance system to keep an eye on your property and possessions. In the event that your alarm system is set off, your home security system sends a wireless alert to the monitoring company where security experts are standing by to respond by instantaneously getting in touch with you when you will be on vacations.