Keeping Your Home Safe During Holiday Vacation

Are you visiting friends or family out of town during the holidays? If so, you know how important the safety of your home is while you’re away. It’s also good to have peace of mind knowing that you took the necessary precautions before hitting the road. Keep in mind a few of these best practices to keep your home safe and secure during your vacation. 

Never Display Your Residence Online

This typically goes without saying, but avoid “checking in” to your neighborhood or posting your address anywhere on social media. Try to make sure your house number doesn’t show up in pictures and don’t let the internet know your travel plans. Even if your profiles are set to private, anyone could access the information if they are determined enough. 

Inform Trusted Neighbors

Hopefully, your neighbors have become your friends and there are a few that you can trust to watch out for your home while you’re away. Leave a spare key with them in case they need to access the house for any reason and keep open lines of communication while you are gone. 

Install a Video Doorbell

If you don’t have one already, a doorbell with built-in video camera is well worth the investment for your peace of mind. These doorbells are wi-fi enabled and you can access the footage from your smartphone or other device. Be sure to check the quality of the camera before you buy one, as you’ll want one that produces clear images if any suspicious activity arises. 

Pause Mail Delivery

If you plan on being away for an extended amount of time (one week or more), contact your mail carrier to have them place a temporary stop on your mail delivery. This way, your mailbox won’t overflow and give potential burglars the sign that you haven’t been home. Another option is to have your trusted friend/family member check your mail and hold onto it until you return. 

These are just a few simple tips, but be sure to take every measure possible to secure your home and belongings before your vacation. Then, enjoy the holidays!