While you are off enjoying your holidays, the last thing you want to worry about is your home and its safety. Here is a quick checklist of things you can do to put your mind at ease.
- Have a friend you trust pick up your mail and newspapers. Ask them to pick up anything around the yard so your home doesn’t appear empty.
- Consider asking the post office to hold your mail. Complete a form to set a mail hold date and a mail release date.
- Robbers are just as social media savvy as you are so don’t post about any of your trips on social media until you return.
- Take a minute and notify the police department or your neighborhood watch program – especially if you’re going to be gone for more than just a day or two. Notify your monitoring service when you’ll be gone and let them know if someone will be checking on your home for you.
- Make use of several inexpensive light timers throughout your home set for different times so it looks like someone is home.
- Go ahead and unplug your electricity pirates – TV, computers, appliances that use electricity even when they’re off. This will also protect them from power surges while you’re gone.
- Forgo the hide a key– burglars are aware and know exactly where to look for keys and it only takes them a moment to check under the mat, above the door, in the flower pot or in a fake rock.
These easy-to-handle suggestions may protect your belongings while you’re gone while adding a level of serenity to your trip.
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