5 tips to protect your home while on vacation.
A break-in occurs every 14.4 seconds according to FBI’s stats from 2011. Even though we can’t stop all break-ins from happening, there are little things we can do to protect our homes before we take trips. Take a second to review these 5 simple things you can do to help prevent your home from being a target.
1. Lock up
More than 40 percent of break-ins happen without the use of force. As obvious as this might sound, it’s better to double check that all doors and windows are locked before you take a trip. You wouldn’t want to make it easy for a burglar to get into your house. The harder it is to break-in, the more chances your home will be safe.
2. Hold your Mail
When you plan on taking a trip for a couple of days, call your local post office to stop all incoming mail until you get back. An overflowing mailbox can be a major clue to thieves that the home empty. The post office can hold your mail from three to 30 days.
3. Stop Newspaper Delivery
Just like your mail, a pile of newspapers in front of your house puts you at high risk for a break-in. It can be an easy thing to overlook when you plan on taking a trip. Make sure to stop your service before you leave.
4. Do the yard work
Although you are planning to take a break, it is good to maintain well groomed yard before you leave. An overgrown and neglected yard is a sign that no one is home. If you plan on being gone for a very long period of time, hire someone to take care of the landscaping when your’re away.
5. Don’t broadcast your plans
Let’s face it we are all guilty of doing this at least once, but it wouldn’t be a smart habit to get into. We live in a time where social media plays a major role in our everyday routines, and thieves like to take advantage when we least expect it. Posting your new found wealth’s on social media sites can label you as a potential target for these modern thieves. If a thief can access your profile publicly they could know where you live and when you would be away from home.
We provided these tips to help your home from becoming a target. For more information about security systems or for a free assessment visit sonitrolsecurity.com or call 1.888.SONITROL (1.888.766.4876).