Prep for your Vacation, Home Security Checklist

Going out of town for a while?  The last minute preparations and packing can be pretty overwhelming, so we’ve put together a home security checklist that you can use as a guide to make sure your house is just as ready for the trip as you are.  Some of these home security tips aren’t as critical if you’re just going on a short trip.  Others would be a good idea anytime.  But, we’ll let you be the judge.

Start your Home Security Checklist Online

[icon_list] [icon_list_item type=”square-o”]Stop the mail (https://holdmail.usps.com).[/icon_list_item] [icon_list_item type=”square-o”]Don’t post about your trip on public social media sites (criminals have internet access too).[/icon_list_item] [/icon_list]

Ask your neighbors and friends to help you secure your home while you’re away

[icon_list] [icon_list_item type=”square-o”]Have your neighbors roll your garbage cans back from the road.[/icon_list_item] [icon_list_item type=”square-o”]Also ask them to remove any flyers that are put in your mailbox or on your door.[/icon_list_item] [icon_list_item type=”square-o”]Tell your neighbors and neighborhood watch that you’ll be gone so that they can check on your home while you’re away.[/icon_list_item] [icon_list_item type=”square-o”]Arrange for someone to feed and water your guard dog while you’re gone.  After all, they aren’t a deterrent if you take them with you or leave them in a kennel.[/icon_list_item] [icon_list_item type=”square-o”]If you usually park in your driveway, have your neighbor park there while you’re gone.  You may be able to fool an opportunistic thief.[/icon_list_item] [/icon_list]

Make Your Home Look Secure from the Outside

[icon_list] [icon_list_item type=”square-o”]Make sure all of your exterior security lights are turned on (motion sensing)[/icon_list_item] [icon_list_item type=”square-o”]Arrange for someone to cut your grass while you’re gone[/icon_list_item] [/icon_list]

Secure windows and doors

[icon_list] [icon_list_item type=”square-o”]Engage pin locks and door and window bars in all of your sliding doors and windows.
[/icon_list_item] [icon_list_item type=”square-o”]Check that all windows and doors are locked (upstairs too).[/icon_list_item] [icon_list_item type=”square-o”]Lock your garage door opener and door.[/icon_list_item] [icon_list_item type=”square-o”]Make sure ladders and tools that could be used to break into your home are secured.[/icon_list_item] [icon_list_item type=”square-o”]Use an auxiliary lock for your deadbolts to prevent picking or lock bumping. [/icon_list_item] [/icon_list]

Security Tips for Inside the Home

[icon_list] [icon_list_item type=”square-o”]Set up timers or controllable power switches for your lights and a TV or a radio to make it look and sound like you’re home. A 7 day timer will add some variability over long trips.[/icon_list_item] [icon_list_item type=”square-o”]Store your valuables in a properly installed safe or read our DIY home security tips here (just make sure it’s a good one!).  Put other valuable items out of site.[/icon_list_item] [/icon_list]

What else will secure your home while you’re gone?

[icon_list] [icon_list_item type=”square-o”]Some police departments have a vacation watch list and will schedule an extra trip by your house.  Give them a call and see what they’ll do.[/icon_list_item] [icon_list_item type=”square-o”]Load your car with the garage closed so that opportunistic burglars don’t know you’ll be gone for long.[/icon_list_item] [/icon_list]

Did we save you some time?

Pay it forward and share this checklist with your friends:

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