Home Security Tips for When You’re Away From Home
In the unforgettable words of one Ms. Dorothy Gale, ‘there’s no place like home.’ Home, is after all where the heart is. It’s where memories are made, it’s the place where we grow up and grow old, where we listen attentively as our children say their first words and watch with loving care as they take their very first baby steps. It’s a place to be cherished. Still, nevertheless, there are times when we need to leave our homes to get away from it all. Vacations, business trips, and excursions and the like beckon us from the comforts of home.
Leaving is often necessary and it’s often a welcome change. Unfortunately, though, empty homes are prime targets for thieves. Thieves look for homes that are easy to get in; usually an unoccupied home tends to look like an easier mark. Empty homes make for shopping sprees for thieves. It’s like a kid in a candy shop—tempting beyond tempting. That’s the bad news. The good news is that you can strengthen your home security so that no one will know the wiser if you’ve been gone for days or if you never left.
Here are some tips that you can put into practice in order to keep thieves away.
First and foremost, stick to your habits—that is don’t do something you ordinarily wouldn’t do when you’re home if you’re going to be away for any period of time. This means don’t leave your porch light on all night, because you think it will make it look like someone’s there. Usually, people only leave that light on if they’re waiting for someone to get back, or if you want to make it look like someone’s home when no one is. Thieves will see as a big, bright welcome sign. Instead, get some timers and hook up a few lamps and a TV or radio. Alternate the times so that they don’t go on and off at the same time each night. Timers are inexpensive and they do keep thieves at bay—remember thieves are lazy, if they think a home is occupied, chances are they will not try to break in.
The outside of your home should be well lit. Security lights, or lights with motion sensors in them are a great way to keep your home safe without having to run up the electricity bill. You can even go with solar powered home security lights so that you can save even more money and you don’t have to connect wires to the device from another power source.
When you’re away, remember to have mail and newspaper delivery suspended, or have someone come to pick it up each day. Keep your yard maintained—hire a gardener if you plan on being away for very long—an unkempt yard is an open invitation to opportunity grubbing thieves.
Consider getting a home alarm system. A home alarm will give you peace of mind and keep your home safe, whether you’re away or not.