Around the holidays, many of us are traveling to see friends and family who live out of town, leaving our homes by themselves as we say “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year.” Crime during the holiday season is not uncommon, so it is important to take the proper precautions to keep your home safe before going out of town. If you have a security system in place—that’s great. But here are a few other ways that you can ramp up your home safety when you are out of town.
Tell a friend you are leaving. The easiest and simplest thing you can do before you leave town is to let a friend know that you will be gone and to ask that friend to keep an eye on your house while you are away. Whether that means giving your friend a key to house sit, or just having him or her drive by a few times while you are gone—you can decide the degree or involvement.
Do not broadcast your travel plans on social media. Sure, these days people want to talk about exactly what they are doing at all times online, but just because everyone is doing it, that does not necessarily mean it is the best course of action. Saying you are going to Colorado for the week of Christmas is essentially broadcasting that your home is going to be empty for a week in December. Consider posting your travel photos after you return home.
Let the police know you are leaving. In many towns, police provide a free check-in service if you call ahead and notify them that you will be out of town for a long period of time. They may be able to drive by your home on regular patrol to check for any suspicious activity.
Set a light timer. You’ve probably heard of leaving lights on to make it appear as if you are home, but it is a little obvious when your lights stay on 24/7 while you are away (plus, your electric bill will be high). Invest in a light switch timer that will automatically turn your lights on and off according to a set schedule.
Stop your mail or have a friend pick it up. Piled up mail, packages and newspapers is a sure sign that no one has been home for a while. You can place a temporary stop or hold on your mail and packages, or ask a friend or neighbor to collect them for you.
When you are on a well-deserved vacation, the last thing you want to have to worry about is whether or not your home is being threatened! Follow these simple steps and you will be able to rest easy, wherever your travels take you.
For more home tips, continue to follow the Homes Auburn blog! And for all of your real estate needs in the Auburn-Opelika area, contact Realtor Ryan Roberts at 334-750-9872, or email [email protected]! #HomeSecurity #Traveling #HolidaySeason #AuburnRealEstate #OpelikaRealEstate #AuburnRealtor #OpelikaRealtor #AuburnAL #OpelikaAL #BerkshireHathaway #HomesAuburn #RyanRoberts
