Did you know that more break-ins happen during the summer months? That’s because burglars know millions of people take vacations and leave their homes empty. Don’t make it easy for them to break in. Use these five safety tips from our sponsor, SimpliSafe, before leaving for vacation this summer.
1. Think like a burglar
You want to think like a hacker when you’re protecting your computer. When protecting your car, you want to think like a car thief. So it makes sense that when it comes to protecting your home, you want to think like a burglar. Now, we don’t mean you should make a list of friends to help you form an “Ocean’s Eleven”-style crew or start looking online for someone to fence hot items. Instead, take a good look at your home and how you would get in if you wanted to rob it. Those are the spots that deserve reinforcement.
2. Take an inventory
Before you leave, go around the house taking pictures. If a burglar gets in, you’ll have documentation to show any damage they caused. Photograph everything, regardless of how valuable you think it might be. Should anything happen, you’ll need this documentation for the insurance company. Once you’ve taken photographs, you can also create an inventory log that includes the estimated value of the items.
3. Secure the inside of your home
Here’s how home security experts at SimpliSafe suggest you protect your home from the inside. Some of these may need to be modified if you have a house sitter or pet sitter coming inside once in a while.
Update your home security monitoring service to ensure it has your updated contact information.Put valuables in a safety deposit box.Lock all your windows and close most of the shades.Put a timer on some of your lights.When you leave, set your security system.
You’ll also want to make sure you don’t return to any damaged property. So, turn off and unplug electronics, especially TVs, computers and other devices that can be damaged during power surges. Turn off the gas and water. Note: Consider beefing up your home protection with a security system from our sponsor, SimpliSafe. It requires no drilling to install, so you can set it up in 15 minutes in any house, apartment or garage. Even better, it doesn’t lock you into an expensive monitoring contract, so you save big money.
4. Secure the outside of your home
Don’t make it easy for burglars to get inside your home. Here’s how home security experts at SimpliSafe suggest you protect your home from the outside:
Move hidden spare keys inside your house while you’re gone.Put your car inside the garage.Mow the lawn and trim the hedges.Move ladders and other supplies a burglar could use to get to the second story.
5. Get your neighbors involved
To keep your home safe, there may be nothing better than having your neighbors keep an eye on it. Offer to do the same when they’re away. That will benefit the whole neighborhood. For example, if your neighborhood is safe, insurance rates will stay low, and crime statistics won’t pop up on real estate websites. Here’s how your neighbors can help keep your home safe, according to home security experts:
Have them pick up ads and flyers that people stick on your door. Note: Tap or click here to have the U.S. Post Office hold your mail. Plus, put a vacation stop on newspaper delivery.Give your most trustworthy neighbor an extra key in case they need to get in; give that neighbor your SimpliSafe safe word (change it when you get home). Note: With SimpliSafe, you can remotely turn off your home security system.Ask your neighbor to mow your lawn and trim your plants.Have them set out your trash cans, even if they’re empty.
Remember, you’ve worked hard to take your family on vacation. You shouldn’t spend your leisure time worrying about what’s happening at home. With SimpliSafe, you don’t have to. It’s easy to install with no-drill wireless sensors. You’re not locked into an expensive multi-year monitoring contract. Plus, it’s easy to upgrade. You can buy a basic hardware package today and add more sensors as you need them. It includes non-security sensors like fire, freeze and carbon monoxide to keep you safe and secure. Tap or click here to keep your home, family and valuables safe. Plus, SimpliSafe offers free shipping and a 60-day money-back guarantee.
