Protecting Your Home at All Times
While you may think that you have done all that you can to protect your home from an intrusion, you may not take the same precautions when you're leaving your home for an extended amount of time. If you're planning a vacation, you should also plan on ways to ensure your home isn't broken into. We know, you're probably thinking that you can just lock up and be on your way. This is something that most people assume should be enough to avoid a break-in. This is where you make your mistake. You need to take some precautions to avoid a break-in while you are away. Most burglars are looking for time and opportunity. This is what is afforded to them whenever you are away on vacation. In most instances, homes that are broken into is because of something that the homeowner did or did not do.
You might not be aware of it but there might be burglars in your area, looking for the next home to break into. Don't make it easy for them to break into your home when you are away. Create a list of things to do prior to leaving for an extended amount of time. Planning for a vacation should include taking precautions to avoid a break-in. This means you may have to develop a list of things to do before you leave home. By developing a list and checking things off, you'll decrease your chances of experiencing a break-in. If a burglar is looking for their next home, don't let them choose yours based on something you do or do not do. Think ahead and avoid dealing with such a problem upon your return home.
Keep It to Yourself - Traveling is exciting and this is why you might want to share you plans on social media. Don't do it! Keep it to yourself. We know this may be hard to do but just consider how many people you do not know who you may be sharing your vacation plans with. You may want to be the envy of the office but this is not the way to do it. You don't know everyone who follows you on social media and this is why you should avoid announcing your plans on social media. It is very easy to find out where people live these days. Since this is the case, you can be sure that if a burglar wants to target your home, they will. If you want to post something on social media, post it upon returning home. This way your home is not left susceptible to an intrusion.
Lockup - We cannot stress this enough. Lockup your home when you leave on vacation. You would be surprised how many people leave on an extended stay and do not lockup their doors and windows. It is easy to forget, especially with so much on your mind. People walk right out the front door, not giving a second thought as to whether or not all of the doors and windows have been locked. In some instances, they even forget to lock their front door. Intruders can get in through windows as easily as they can get in through the doors. This is why you should always remember to double check doors and windows throughout your home. In some cases, we even find that not only are the windows unlocked but there are sometimes windows left open. Wow! This is an invitation to come on in and get what they want. If there are other family members in your home, you may not even know that they have opened a door or window without closing it. The only way to find out is by checking it out for yourself. Go through the home and make sure the doors and windows are all locked and secured before leaving for your vacation.
Set Your Alarm System - If you have an alarm system, you may even forget to set it once you leave. Your alarm system will not be of much use to you if the system is not set. It can't be set if you do not have one. If you don't already have an alarm system, you should consider investing in one today. When there is an alarm in the home, you are less likely to experience a burglary. Burglars see an alarm as a deterrent. They do not want to be detected and surely if there is an alarm in you home, this is one chance they wouldn't want to take. If you have an alarm system, make sure you ask for a sign that you can place in the front of your home. Something as simple as an alarm system sign can thwart off a burglar. There are some homeowners who have the sign displayed but do not have the service. A burglar doesn't have to know this. All that they know is that you have an alarm system in your home and that they can't afford to take the chance of being discovered. They will likely move on to the next home.
Don't Leave Yourself Exposed - When you do not have blinds or curtains up at your window, you are exposing yourself to others who may want to get what you have. If there is nothing hanging up at your window, you are showing everyone what they can gain by getting inside your home. This leaves you susceptible to a home intrusion. Don't advertise to the whole world what is inside your home; instead, cover your windows.
If you are guilty of doing some of the aforementioned things, don't worry; we're all guilty. However, now that you know what can be done to prevent a burglary, don't forget to do it. You might just be able to avoid a break-in.