Here are a few tips to make sure you don’t come home from vacation to find your home was broken into and burglarized:
1. Make your House Less Appealing to Burglars
Overgrown bushes and other structures that provide cover can allow burglars to hide while trying to break into your home. This makes homes with these features very attractive, and therefore a prime target for home invaders. Trim your hedges before you leave for a vacation and make sure that the view of your windows and doors aren’t obstructed. Also, don’t leave ladders or other equipment lying around in plain sight—these items can help people climb into your home through second story windows.
2. Install Security Cameras
Consider installing security cameras and ensure that they are visible so that burglars think twice before trying to break in. Just the sight of a security camera will deter most criminals, so the reward is well worth the investment. Learn more about security cameras here.
3. Reschedule Deliveries
Make sure that you won’t be receiving any deliveries while you’re on vacation, or ask your neighbor to receive deliveries for you if you’re expecting any to arrive. If there are packages left on your doorstep, this can be a telltale sign that you aren’t home. Packages left outside are also very easy to steal, so if you want to keep your new purchases it’s best to make sure they won’t show up while you’re away.
4. Leave a Light On
Leaving a few lights on in your home will help to fool burglars into thinking that someone is home. Don’t leave your house completely dark. You can leave the porch or hallway light turned on or even a bedroom light for added measure. Some home automation products can turn different lights on and off at different times, which will make it look more like people are at home.
5. Don’t Leave a Spare Key
If you are in the habit of hiding the spare key under the welcome mat or a flower pot, make sure you remove it before leaving for your trip. Hiding keys is a common habit, and a burglar might search for them on your front porch and find them.
6. Hire a House Sitter
House sitters physically stay in your house while you are away, catching up with chores like watering plants, feeding pets, vacuuming, etc. Having a house sitter is also a protective measure as it will let burglars know that someone is home, which will deter would-be thieves from breaking in.
7. Invest in a Home Security System
Burglars are most likely to rob a house without a home security system. The likelihood of a burglary rises by 300% if a house does not have a security system. According to Alarms.org, there is one burglary every 13 seconds in America, and their total estimated loss is $14.3 billion. 83% of burglars check to see if there is an alarm, and most of them back off when they find a home security system in place.
Conclusion
Vacations are supposed to be a time to relax, unwind, and spend quality time with those you love. Don’t set yourself up to be preyed upon by would-be-robbers. By being proactive and taking the steps outlined above, you will reduce your chances of becoming a victim.
If you would like more information about protecting your home from burglars, contact Morgantown Security & Fire today for a free consultation. We’ll talk about your concerns and your budget, and design a home security system that’s right for you.