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July is here and vacation season is in full swing. With so many of you taking trips, we thought we would share some tips on how you can protect your home. Feel comfortable about the safety of your home while you're away this summer by following these 6 tips:
- Ask a friend to help: If you know someone you trust will be in town while you're on vacation, ask them to check on the house and make sure there is no suspicious activity. They can also water your plants or take care of your pets if needed.
- Don't tip off criminals on the web: We all want to post everything about our vacation to social media, but this can be dangerous. There's no better way to scream "MY HOUSE IS EMPTY" than to publicly post about your travels. It's probably best to wait until you are home before telling everyone about your adventure.
- Don't leave the lights on: That leaving your lights on deters would-be criminals is one of the biggest misconceptions out there. When the same lights are on in the same rooms on consecutive days, it's a clear indication no one is home. Unless you have a timer of some sort, we would suggest you leave them off.
- Stop the mail: Have the post office hold your mail. You don't want an overflowing mailbox while you're away, and you can always pick it up when you return.
- Pull the plugs: Make sure all your appliances are unplugged. This will help prevent fires and save you a few bucks.
- Remove the spare key: If you're not going to be around, there's no need to have a spare key outside. You can always give it to whoever might need to get in before you leave.
