Securing outside areas of your home – backyards, sheds and garages – helps provide added security for your entire home. Make sure that ladders are secured away. Shred personal information before throwing it away. Make sure your house number is visible clearly for emergencies. Secure all tools or expensive equipment in a locking garage or shed.
Doors and Windows
Make sure all windows and doors are intact and can lock securely. Make sure curtains or blinds fully cover windows. Install a peephole or wide angle viewer in front doors to give you a wider range of sight.
This is the front-line of protection for your property – locks sometimes require upkeep, and there are many new lock technologies to consider including electronic options. Don’t hide your keys outside!
Porches and Front Yards
Consider installing a fence with a lockable gate and check locks and security of all garages, sheds, and etc. This is the front-line of protection for your property – locks sometimes require upkeep, and there are many new lock technologies to consider including electronic options. Don’t hide your keys outside! Display sign indicating that you have a home security system or guard dog. Consider installing exterior lights, as they are a great deterrent for burglars – you can even have these lights wired to a schedule system to make it appear as if you were home.
Inside the House While You’re Gone
Leave lights on in specific rooms and leave talk radio on before leaving on your trip. Set your thermostat at 50 degrees in the winter time to keep your piping safe – and saving energy. Install timers throughout your house and your front door if you don’t have a front window. This will help you monitor your front driveway. Check placement and functionality of smoke detectors. These should be placed in kitchens as well as hallways of the house. Keep a list of valuables and their location for home security insurance purposes.
Be Friends With Your Neighbors
It’s important to keep an active presence in your neighborhood and look out for each other. Tell a neighbor when you’re going out of town and when you’re arriving back. Leave a key with them, a family member, or close friend. If possible, cancel deliveries for the duration of your trip, or notify your neighbors or house-sitter.
Bring Home Security With You
If you’re traveling for business or vacation, it’s easy to monitor your home’s security with mobile home security apps. Many new mobile security systems allow you to use your mobile device to track all movement activity in the house, or watch live or recorded video footage from any security cameras in your home.
