Vacationers Home Check-list: Everything You Should Know Before You Leave

By Ian White  |   Submitted On August 08, 2005

  

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If you are planning on being away from your home for an extended amount of time, it is important that you secure your home. You will not be able to enjoy your family vacation, concentrate on the business meeting, or feel relaxed while visiting relatives, if the thought of your home being violated is always in the back of your mind. There are many things that you can do before you leave, as well as things you can have arranged to be done by a third party, that will ensure that your home, property and pets are safe.

The most important aspect an owner needs to be concerned with is that their home does not look vacant while they are away.
Statistics report that generally a home is burglarized every 12
seconds. It is important that you leave your curtains open when
you leave. Closed curtains indicate a vacant home. You can also purchase light timers. They will turn on and off different lights in your home throughout the day until you return from your trip. It is also good to invest in motion sensor lights for the outside. As added protection, you may want to keep a radio on somewhere in the main part of the house. The volume need not be very loud, just loud enough to fool an intruder. It is also good to have an alarm system. Make sure that it is turned on when you leave.

Do not leave house keys under rocks or flower boxes around your
home. Make sure they are all removed prior to your departure.
Never leave a message on your phone that you are away. That is
just asking for an intruder.