Homeowners across the country look forward to the holidays as a time to travel and visit friends and loved ones. Unfortunately, this is also the time of year that more break-ins occur, as burglars target homes that show signs of the occupants being out of town. Are there ways to make it look like you’re home?
To prevent this situation from happening to you when you’re traveling, follow these tips shared by your favorite remodeling company, Callen, to fool would-be intruders into thinking you’re home when you’re really not.
- Don’t let the mail pile up. One of the most obvious signs that someone is out of town is an overflowing mailbox or packages piled up on the porch. To prevent this problem, ask an obliging neighbor to help you out by picking up your mail and newspapers. If you’re going to be gone for more than a few days, stop by the post office and ask them to hold your mail during the dates you’ll be gone. Try to schedule package deliveries on a day you’ll be home; if that’s not possible, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to keep an eye out for them.
- Turn the lights on (and off). One tried-and-true method to help make it look like you’re home is to keep the lights on – and modern technology makes this very easy. A Wi-Fi-enabled device called a smart plug allows you to plug in a lamp in any room you choose, then use your smart device to turn it off and on from anywhere in the world. This allows you to vary the timing to better mimic the usual movement and activity within your house.
- Keep an eye on the weather. Before leaving town, be sure to check the weather forecast. If ice, sleet, or snow are in the forecast, hire a neighborhood kid to shovel off the sidewalk, or line up a snow removal service to plow your drive. Pristine, untouched snow surrounding your house is a sure sign that nobody’s home.
Celebrate the Holidays with Callen
From basement refinishing to home exterior remodeling, Callen has your back any time of year. Call Callen today at 414-765-2585 to set up a free consultation.