If you’re heading out the door for the holidays this year, make sure that your home is secure before you leave. Ensuring your doors are locked and windows are closed and secured should be at the top of your checklist, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to help remind you of all the other things you can do to keep your home safe while you’re traveling.
Home security is your top priority while you’re traveling for the holidays. While you may not be able to monitor every corner of your home 24/7, there are some things you can do before you leave home. Follow these helpful tips to ensure that your home and possessions stay safe while you’re gone.
Use Smart Home Technology
If you have smart devices, utilize them to create the illusion that someone is home. Set timers for lights to turn on and off at various intervals or use smart plugs for other electronics.
Put Outdoor Lights on a Timer, if you do not have Smart Home Technology
If you’ve taken the time to string outdoor lighting for the end-of-the-year festivities and you want to display them while you’re away, plug them into a timer. This can either be a solar timer that’s attached to your existing landscape lights, or a new timer that’s specific to your holiday lights. Outdoor holiday light strands tend to get hot if left on for long periods of time, increasing the chance of an accidental fire. By keeping them on a timer that turns them on at dusk and off at dawn, the risk of overheating is reduced significantly.
Inform Your Neighbors
While it’s best to not promote your empty house or to post on social media while taking your holiday vacation, it is wise to check in with your neighbors. Give them a heads up that you’ll be heading out of town for a few days and ask them to keep an eye on your home. Provide them with a list of emergency contact numbers if they don’t already have your cell phone. If you don’t have neighbors, ask a friend to check in on your home periodically while you’re away. You’ll appreciate the update and will be able to enjoy your vacation knowing your home is left in good hands.
Avoid Oversharing on Social Media
While it’s tempting to share your travel plans online, avoid posting about your trip until you’re back home. This information can be exploited by those who are searching for people that are vacationing during the holidays.
Use Fake Security Signs
Even if you don’t have a security system, putting up fake security signs can make your home look like it is monitored. A sign in your yard might seem pointless, but to a burglar will not want to take the chance of an alarm going off and being caught.
Check Insurance Coverage
Ensure your home insurance covers theft and damage. Knowing your policy can provide peace of mind while you are away.
But if you’re not traveling this holiday season, is your home the destination for your friends and family? Make sure that your holiday party is ready, and that your landscaping is manicured and clean. Give us, Green Acres Landscape, a call before you hang your outdoor holiday decor. We even specialize in event staging and can help residents around Salem, OR, prepare for the best holiday party on their block. To schedule an appointment, give us a call today at (503) 399-8066.