Whether you are off enjoying the sand and sun of the Caribbean or hiking the Rocky Mountains, you want to be able to enjoy your time away without having to worry about home invasions or household catastrophes. Take a look at these tips for keeping your home safe and secure while you enjoy a much-needed getaway.
Enlist Help
Give a friend or relative a spare key and ask them to check on your house daily, or at least several times a week at a minimum. They can also help with small things like watering plants and bringing in the mail. You can request the post office to hold your mail, but a criminal who is paying close attention may notice its interruption and get suspicious. The more normal things look, the better. Don’t forget to reward your friend for their help when you get back!
Limit Details on Social Media
Social media sites are perfect spots for criminals to scope out people who are going on vacation, and many oblige by giving out detailed information about their vacation schedule and plans, as well as posting daily pictures and updates on their location. You may think only your friends and family can see these, but in reality, you never know who might be accessing your private information. It’s best to wait until you get home to share your vacation experience.
Make It Look Like Somebody is Home
Don’t run up your electric bill by leaving lights on throughout the house when you leave. Instead, buy a programmable light switch timer, or find a timer that can be controlled with an app on your smartphone so that the times that the lights come on can be varied slightly. Keep your blinds and curtains in their usual positions, and move valuables out of sight of the window if the curtains are going to be left open. Also, make sure you have someone lined up to mow your lawn in the summer and shovel snow in the winter. An overgrown lawn or uncleared snow on the driveway are sure signs that nobody is around.
If you are foregoing vacation this year because you’re saving for home exterior remodeling in Brookfield, WI, contact Callen to find out just how affordable it can be. We’re the local expert on exterior remodeling in Muskego, and have been for the past 30 years. Give us a call today at 414-765-2585.
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