Keep Burglars Out and Enjoy Your Vacation

Vacations are supposed to be about making memories, relaxing with our family and friends and taking a break from our busy lives. A time to recharge and not worry about anything, right? It shouldn’t be a time to worry about someone breaking into our homes while we're away. So what are some ways to have peace of mind while you’re away you ask? You’ve come to the right place for some helpful tips.

Most of us love to share pictures on social media of all sorts of events, especially when we are vacationing. Pictures of the kids building sandcastle’s at the beach, checking into a bed and breakfast for the weekend, or a picture in front of a landmark. Take all the pictures you want, however, wait to post them until you’re home. Don’t make a burglar’s job easier by posting your pictures while on vacation. This makes it clear that you aren’t home, so what a perfect time to “clean house”. It’s also a good idea not to announce that you’re on vacation. Keep that under wraps until you get back.

Home securities systems have come a long way. Some have features where you can set up a timer for lights inside and/or outside your home to go on and off at certain times of the day, making it appear that someone is home while you’re away. Safesoundfamily.com suggests calling your alarm company and letting them know you’ll be out of town. On a side note, Farmers ® offers different discounts to homeowners who have some sort of protective system(s) for their homes. Give the office a call and we can check your policy to make sure you have taken advantage of that discount.

Protecting your vehicles, while on vacation and at home, is important as well. Simply putting your valuables away, even your phone charger, can lower your chances of being a victim of car theft. Don’t give a car thief any reason to break into your car, so keep all your stuff out of sight. You can’t make your vehicle 100% theft proof, it’s about making someone else’s vehicle more attractive. That sounds bad to say but it’s the honest truth.

Before you head out on your vacation, always do a walk through of your house. Check all the windows and doors to make sure they are locked and secure. If you have sliding doors, as an added means of security, place a bat or a rod in the door channel. This will help reduce the chance of someone trying to take it out of the track to force it open.

A stuffed mail box and a pile of newspapers are other dead giveaways that you’re not home. Head to the post office and put a hold on your mail and put a hold on your newspaper as well. You can also have a trusted neighbor or friend grab your mail or newspaper for you until you get back, if that’s an option.

We are very fortunate to live in a time where we can control nearly anything from our phones. Set timers for lights to go off and on, make sure our garage door is closed and even fluctuate the temperature in our homes and not even be in the same state. If you have any or all those luxuries, take advantage of them, especially when you’re on vacation. It can help keep potential burglars away and maybe even save you on your homeowners premium.

For more information on how to make your home a smart home, check out Making Your HomeSmarter: Home Security. It’s a great resource to help make your home more secure and energy-efficient.