The holiday season is a time of joy. Exchanging gifts, decorating, baking, cooking, getting together, and of course; traveling. Many folks use their vacation time around these winter months for extended time with family and friends. But how do you better prepare your home for your absence?
Texan Lock & Key would like to offer several tips on keeping your home safe while you are away this holiday season.
1. House Sitter. When it comes to keeping your home secure, it is always the best option to have someone staying there. If possible, ask a trusted friend or relative to stay in your home during your absence. Home activity such as feeding pets, picking up mail, watering plants, and bringing in any newspapers is a good way to prevent break ins. Hiring out to house sitting services isn’t a bad option either, but can be pricey.
2. Hold the Mail. If having a house-sitter isn’t an option, call the post office, or see if they have the feature available to hold your mail for up to 30 days free of charge. Just let them know the stop and start dates.
3. Hold the Newspaper. If you are old school and still have a newspaper dropped on your door, let them know of your absence to cancel the paper until your return. Having piled up newspapers is an invitation to getting your home broken into.
4. Neighborhood Watch. For backup safety, have a trusted neighbor keep an eye on your home, especially if door to door flyers stack up. Having a neighbor peeking in on your home can also help avert disaster if someone does target your home. If you aren’t particularly friendly with nearby neighbors, ask a friend to randomly stop in and move around to show activity. If you have a neighbor watching and ask a friend to stop by, be sure to let the neighbor know of guests coming and going to prevent embarrassing misunderstandings.
5. Illusions. Homes that appear vacant are often a quick target for the less savory. Invest in automatic timers to turn lights on and off and motion censored lights. If you can make your home look active busy, the better off you will be.
6. Landscape. Before you head out, make sure the landscape is tended. Leaves should be raked, trees and bushes pruned, and grass trimmed if needed. A well manicured yard contributes to the illusion of someone being home much better than allowing the yard to look like it has gone undone. Having a well maintained yard also gives unscrupulous characters fewer places to blend in or hide, leaving your neighbors with better detection.
7. Locks your Doors & Windows. Where ensuring your locks are in place is obvious, you would be surprised how often someone breaks in through an unlocked window or door. Conduct a security sweep and make sure all the windows and doors are firmly secured. If your locks need repair or replacement, contact Texan Lock & Key!
8. Social Networks. Avoid broadcasting your plans on social media or blogs. It is being used as a tool more often than not to target the trusting folks. Keep your plans to a minimum, and only tell a selected few that you can trust.
9. Programs. Utilize programmable thermostats, and if plant life or furry friends aren’t around, set the setting low. Unplug all unnecessary electronics to help cut your power bill, and prevent accidental electrical fires.
10. Home Security. If you don’t already have one, invest in a security system. Homes without security systems are more picked on than those that do. Keep your home and possessions safe while you are away. Contact Texan Lock & Key to help make your home more secure.
