Home Security - Vacation Preparation Tips

A large percentage of burglaries take place during times when the homes are unoccupied. Many times it doesn't take an expert to pick out the houses that have been vacant for a couple of days. There are some steps you can take to protect your home from break-ins while you're away.

Stopping your mail and newspaper, or having someone pick them up for you can make it a little less obvious that no one is home. Leaving a light on while you're gone can help also, but these simple steps may not be enough.

Stopping the paper may not throw up any red flags since you may have just decided to cancel your subscription. Stopping the mail, however, could be a signal to an experienced burglar. Everyone gets at least some junk mail. The best thing is to have a neighbor pick up your mail without being seen.

If the same couple of lights are burning all the time, it begins to appear unnatural and obvious that no one is home. A simple timer will help by turning the lights off and on periodically. Take it a step further by getting a system that will program your lights to turn off and on at staggered or random times to make it appear more realistic. Another good idea is to put TV's and stereos on the same type of timer.

If you've ever considered a home security system, there's no better time to get one than before you go on vacation. Give yourself plenty of time to choose the right system for you and your budget. Make sure your new system includes patrols past your house, as well as outside monitoring.

If you're involved with a security company, be sure to inform them of your vacation plans, including specific dates and times. This will cause them to watch things a little closer while you're gone.

A friendly and appreciative letter to the operations manager will improve your relationship with the company and make them more willing to spend extra time monitoring. They will appreciate the gesture as opposed to the unwarranted complaints they probably receive.

Another good idea is to have someone you know stay in your house for at least some of the time you're away. This will be especially effective at night, as most intruders will leave if they suspect someone is home. You could even trade services with one of your neighbors and watch their home for them when they're away.

If you're involved in a neighborhood watch program, that's great, but always remember to inform the others that you will be gone for an extended time. If they don't know you're leaving, they won't know that your place needs watched.