Do you want to learn how to keep your home safe when you are away? If yes, then you’re at the right place.
Introduction
Leaving your home unattended can be a cause for concern, but with the right precautions, you can protect your property and maintain peace of mind.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how to keep your home safe when you are away, covering a wide range of strategies and practical tips to ensure your property’s security. Whether you’re planning a vacation, a weekend getaway, or simply heading to work, these insights will help you safeguard your home.
We understand the importance of a safe and secure home, and in the following sections, we’ll delve into the details of each strategy, providing you with expert advice and personal experiences to assist you in maintaining the security of your property.
Table of Contents
How to Keep Your Home Safe When You Are Away
Here are some of the ways on how to keep your home safe when you are away.
Secure Your Entry Points
One of the first steps in ensuring your home’s safety while you’re away is to focus on securing entry points effectively.
This means taking proactive measures to fortify your doors and windows. Begin by installing high-quality locks and deadbolts on all exterior doors.
Reinforced strike plates further enhance door security. Consider the added layer of protection provided by smart locks, which offer remote access control and real-time monitoring.
Windows, often vulnerable areas for intrusion, should not be overlooked. Ensure that all windows have secure locks in place.
These seemingly simple steps go a long way in deterring potential intruders and contribute significantly to the safety of your home during your absence.
Install a Home Security System
Installing a robust home security system is a crucial component of safeguarding your home when you’re away. Modern technology has revolutionized home security, offering a comprehensive shield against potential threats.
These systems typically include a network of cameras, motion detectors, and alarms strategically placed to cover vulnerable areas.
Cameras provide real-time surveillance, allowing you to monitor your property remotely. Motion detectors trigger alarms and alerts, immediately notifying you and, if desired, local authorities of any unauthorized activity.
These security systems are an effective deterrent, as burglars are less likely to target a home equipped with visible surveillance.
Investing in a home security system offers peace of mind and confidence that your property is well-protected, even in your absence.
Get to Know Your Neighbors
Building strong connections with your neighbors is a simple yet effective way to enhance your home’s security when you’re away. Trusted neighbors can act as your first line of defense.
When you establish a friendly rapport with those living nearby, you create a support network that can help keep an eye on your property.
In case of suspicious activity or emergencies, having vigilant neighbors who are aware of your absence can be invaluable.
By reciprocating and offering to watch their homes when they’re away, you foster a sense of community and cooperation.
Sharing contact information and discussing security concerns can further solidify this network of trust, contributing to your home’s overall safety and peace of mind.
Don’t Advertise Your Absence
In this age of digital connectivity, it’s vital to exercise discretion when it comes to your travel plans. Avoid broadcasting your absence on social media platforms or any other public forums.
Criminals often scour online spaces to identify potential targets. By sharing your travel plans discreetly and only with a select group of trusted friends or family, you minimize the risk of revealing your empty home to would-be intruders.
Additionally, consider setting your social media accounts to private during your absence to limit access to your personal information.
The goal is to maintain a low profile and keep your property’s vulnerability hidden from prying eyes, ensuring a safer environment for your home while you’re away.
Use Timers for Lights
An effective way to create the illusion of an occupied home is by using timers for lights and other electrical appliances.
These timers are invaluable tools for enhancing your home’s security while you’re away. By setting them to turn lights on and off at different times throughout the day and evening, you mimic your daily routine, making it appear as if someone is home.
This simple but effective technique can deter potential intruders who may be monitoring your property. It gives the impression that your house is occupied, thus reducing the risk of a break-in.
Timers not only enhance your home’s security but also provide peace of mind during your absence, knowing that your property is well-protected.
Secure Your Valuables
Protecting your most cherished possessions is an essential aspect of home security while you’re away. Safeguarding your valuables involves strategic planning and making it difficult for intruders to access them. Start by identifying your most valuable items, such as jewelry, important documents, and electronics.
One effective method is to invest in a home safe. A secure, concealed safe provides an additional layer of protection for your valuables, even if an intruder gains access to your home. Ensure the safe is bolted to the floor or wall for added security.
Furthermore, consider storing important documents and valuable items in unconventional places that burglars are unlikely to check. These proactive measures will help keep your most precious possessions out of harm’s way.
Maintain Your Yard
The state of your yard can convey a lot about your home’s occupancy. An unkempt yard can signify an empty house, which is an invitation to burglars. To maintain the appearance of an active, occupied home, arrange for someone to mow your lawn, trim overgrown bushes, and collect mail while you’re away.
Overgrown grass and a mailbox overflowing with uncollected mail are telltale signs of an unattended residence.
These simple tasks, often overlooked, play a pivotal role in deterring potential intruders. By keeping up with yard maintenance, you create the illusion of a lived-in home, making it less appealing as a target for burglaries.
It’s a cost-effective and straightforward method to enhance your home’s security while you’re absent.
Close Blinds and Curtains
An often underestimated but crucial element of home security is ensuring that blinds and curtains are closed before you leave.
This straightforward action obstructs potential burglars from peering into your home and identifying whether it’s occupied or vacant. By blocking the view of your interiors, you maintain privacy and avert any unwarranted attention.
Additionally, closed blinds and curtains make it challenging for intruders to conduct a thorough reconnaissance of your property. This simple measure, when coupled with other security strategies, forms a formidable defense against break-ins.
By maintaining this practice, you significantly reduce the risk of your home becoming a target for burglars while you’re away, contributing to your peace of mind.
Keep a Low Profile
Maintaining a low profile when it comes to your home is a fundamental yet often overlooked aspect of security. It involves avoiding conspicuous displays of wealth and ensuring that your property doesn’t attract undue attention.
This includes not leaving expensive items or valuable possessions in plain sight through windows or open doors.
Burglars often target homes that appear affluent or where they believe they can find valuable items easily. By adopting a modest and unobtrusive approach to your property, you reduce the risk of becoming a potential target.
This low-profile strategy, combined with other security measures, contributes significantly to your home’s safety when you’re away, helping to ensure peace of mind during your absence.
Invest in Quality Exterior Lighting
Ample exterior lighting is a powerful deterrent against intruders and a vital component of your home’s security. Investing in quality exterior lighting can significantly reduce the risk of break-ins and enhance your peace of mind when you’re away.
Well-placed, motion-activated lights, especially near entry points, illuminate anyone approaching your home, making it challenging for them to remain hidden.
Burglars prefer darkness, and effective outdoor lighting disrupts their cover, drawing attention to their activities. This discourages potential intruders and increases the likelihood of them being apprehended.
Quality exterior lighting not only safeguards your property but also provides a safer environment for you and your neighbors.
Maintain Your Security System
Owning a home security system is a significant step in fortifying your property’s defenses, but its effectiveness depends on regular maintenance. To ensure that your security system remains reliable, periodic checks and maintenance are essential.
This entails reviewing and updating the system’s components, such as cameras, motion detectors, and alarms.
Outdated or malfunctioning equipment can leave vulnerabilities in your security. It’s crucial to routinely test and calibrate these components to ensure they function correctly. Regular maintenance also includes changing batteries, updating firmware, and ensuring all software is up-to-date.
By dedicating time to maintaining your security system, you can rest assured that it remains a robust defense against intruders. A well-maintained system is your best ally in safeguarding your home when you’re away.
Consider Home Automation
Embracing home automation technology is a modern and innovative approach to enhancing your home’s security, especially when you’re away. Smart devices and systems can be seamlessly integrated into your home, allowing for remote control and monitoring.
By connecting your lighting, locks, and security systems to a central hub or mobile app, you gain increased control and the ability to adjust settings on the go.
Home automation technology enables you to schedule lights, lock and unlock doors, and monitor security cameras from virtually anywhere, adding an extra layer of convenience and security.
It’s a proactive approach that can significantly contribute to your peace of mind by ensuring your home is safe, even when you’re not there.
Get a Pet Sitter
If you have beloved pets at home, hiring a pet sitter is a practical and caring solution when you’re away. Your pets deserve love and attention, and a pet sitter not only ensures their well-being but also plays a crucial role in home security.
A pet sitter creates the illusion of a bustling, occupied home. Regular visits to feed, play with, and care for your pets give the impression that someone is home, deterring potential intruders.
Additionally, having someone look after your pets relieves you from the worry of their safety and comfort, allowing you to enjoy your time away with peace of mind. It’s a win-win solution for both your home’s security and the happiness of your furry friends.
Inform the Police
In some areas, police departments offer a valuable service known as vacation checks. This involves notifying your local law enforcement about your travel plans, so they can periodically inspect your property during your absence.
While it’s not a guarantee against intrusions, it adds an extra layer of security to your home.
The presence of law enforcement personnel occasionally checking your property sends a clear message that your home is monitored and safeguarded.
It can be a strong deterrent to potential criminals who may think twice before targeting a home with such proactive security measures in place.
This cooperative effort with the police reinforces your home’s safety and contributes to your peace of mind while you’re away.
Protect Your Garage
Your garage can be a vulnerable entry point for burglars, making it crucial to secure it properly. One way to safeguard your garage is by investing in a reliable garage door opener.
Opt for a model with rolling codes, which frequently changes the access code, preventing unauthorized individuals from gaining entry.
Additionally, reinforce your garage’s physical security by using solid locks and installing motion-activated lighting. Secure any access doors leading from the garage to your home with high-quality deadbolts.
By fortifying your garage, you not only protect your vehicles and valuable tools but also enhance the overall security of your home, making it a less appealing target for potential intruders.
Socialize Your Security System
Making your home security system visible to the outside world is a strategic approach to deterring potential intruders. Even if you don’t have a security system, displaying security system signs and decals can discourage criminals.
These conspicuous signs indicate that your home is protected, and burglars often avoid homes with visible security measures.
Additionally, if you have a security system, consider registering it with a local monitoring service or law enforcement. When your security system is linked to an official response, it becomes a more potent deterrent.
Socializing your security system is a proactive step in preventing break-ins and maintaining the safety of your home while you’re away.
Lock Up Your Tools
Tools are commonly targeted by burglars because they can aid in breaking and entering. Ensuring that your tools are securely stored is crucial for your home’s security.
Invest in a sturdy toolshed or secure storage area, and make use of high-quality locks to safeguard your tools.
Leaving tools scattered around your property not only presents a potential danger to your home’s security but also poses a safety risk.
By organizing and locking up your tools, you reduce the likelihood of them being used against you, ultimately bolstering your property’s defense.
Don’t underestimate the importance of this seemingly simple precaution, as it can contribute significantly to the overall safety of your home when you’re away.
Install Reinforced Doors
Your home’s entry doors serve as the primary line of defense against potential intruders. To enhance your home security, consider installing reinforced doors, such as those made of solid wood, metal, or composite materials.
These doors offer superior strength and durability, making it much more challenging for burglars to force their way inside.
Reinforced doors often feature reinforced frames, multiple deadbolt locks, and upgraded strike plates. They are designed to withstand significant pressure and are an effective deterrent against forced entry.
By investing in reinforced doors, you not only protect your property but also gain peace of mind, knowing that your home is well-secured even when you’re away. It’s a valuable addition to your overall security strategy.
Check Your Home Insurance
One aspect of home security that’s often overlooked is reviewing your home insurance policy. It’s essential to understand the coverage it offers, especially when you’re away from home.
Your policy should safeguard against potential losses due to theft, vandalism, or damage during your absence.
Make sure that your insurance covers your home’s contents, including valuable possessions. Additionally, check for any specific requirements or conditions regarding home security systems or other preventive measures.
If necessary, make adjustments to your policy to ensure comprehensive protection. A thorough review and understanding of your insurance policy can provide an extra layer of security and peace of mind, knowing that your property and belongings are well-covered while you’re away.
Use Local Storage for Spare Keys
Storing spare keys is a security consideration that can’t be taken lightly. Avoid common, easily discoverable spots like under the doormat or a potted plant.
Instead, consider using local storage options. Provide a spare key to a trusted neighbor or friend who lives nearby. In case you ever need access to your home, they can assist you quickly.
Another option is using a secure lockbox with a combination code. This lockbox can be discreetly placed near your entrance and only accessed by those who know the code.
By using local storage for spare keys, you ensure access in emergencies without compromising your home’s security or advertising easy entry points to potential intruders.
Set Up an Alarm System
An audible alarm system is an effective security measure for your home when you’re away. These systems are designed to startle intruders and alert neighbors to potential break-ins, acting as a strong deterrent.
Modern alarm systems are user-friendly and can be customized to suit your specific needs. They include motion detectors, door and window sensors, and sometimes even security cameras.
When the system detects unusual activity, it triggers a loud alarm, signaling an emergency. Many alarm systems are also connected to monitoring services, who can quickly alert law enforcement if necessary.
By setting up an alarm system, you not only enhance your home’s security but also provide yourself with peace of mind, knowing that your property is protected even in your absence.
Consider Smart Home Technology
Embracing smart home technology is a forward-thinking approach to bolstering your home’s security, especially when you’re away.
This innovative technology allows you to control various aspects of your home, such as lighting, locks, and security systems, remotely via a smartphone or other devices.
Smart doorbell cameras, for instance, enable you to monitor and interact with visitors at your front door, regardless of your location.
You can lock and unlock doors, adjust lighting, and set security protocols through a central hub, enhancing the overall safety of your property.
The convenience and added security features of smart home technology make it a worthwhile investment, contributing to your peace of mind when you’re not at home.
Regular Maintenance
Periodic maintenance of your home security features is vital to ensure they remain effective. This encompasses routinely checking and updating various components of your security system, such as cameras, alarms, and motion detectors.
Ensure that all hardware and software are up-to-date, as outdated equipment can compromise your security.
Additionally, don’t forget to change batteries, test the functionality of each component, and confirm that all sensors are working correctly. Regular maintenance guarantees that your security system is ready to respond to potential threats effectively.
By dedicating time to the care of your security features, you reinforce the safety of your home, especially when you’re away, providing you with greater peace of mind.
Hire a Home Security Professional
For added peace of mind and an extra layer of security, consider consulting a home security professional when you’re away. These experts possess the knowledge and experience to assess your property comprehensively.
They can identify vulnerabilities and recommend tailored security solutions that cater to your specific needs and concerns.
Home security professionals can advise you on the most effective security systems, suggest optimal camera placements, and recommend additional measures like reinforced doors and smart technology.
Their expertise ensures that your home is fortified against potential threats, giving you confidence in your home’s security while you’re absent.
Investing in a home security professional’s guidance is a proactive step towards safeguarding your property.
Don’t Forget the Basics
Amidst all the advanced security measures, it’s crucial not to overlook the fundamental security practices.
Simple precautions like locking doors and windows before leaving cannot be stressed enough. Ensure all entry points are secured, and use quality locks and deadbolts.
Moreover, double-check that your property’s exterior is well-lit, and maintain your yard to prevent it from becoming a signal of an unattended home.
Close blinds and curtains to block the view into your house, and keep a low profile to deter potential intruders.
Incorporating these basic security practices alongside advanced measures significantly contributes to your home’s safety when you’re away, ensuring a well-rounded security strategy.
Conclusion
Ensuring the safety of your home while you’re away is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. By implementing a combination of these strategies and tips, you can greatly reduce the risk of theft and damage to your property.
Remember, a secure home contributes to your peace of mind and well-being, allowing you to enjoy your time away worry-free.
Don’t forget to check your home insurance policy and consult with a security professional for personalized guidance. With these measures in place, you can confidently keep your home safe when you are away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I choose the right home security system?
A: To select the best home security system, consider your specific needs, budget, and desired features. Research reputable brands and consult with experts for recommendations.
Q: What should I do if I forget to lock a door or window before leaving?
A: If you realize you’ve forgotten to secure an entry point, return home or ask a trusted neighbor to lock it for you.
Q: Can I rely on my neighbors to watch over my home?
A: While neighbors can be a valuable part of your security network, it’s essential to have a comprehensive security plan that includes additional measures like a security system.
Q: Are smart home devices worth the investment for home security?
A: Smart home devices offer convenience and enhanced security. They are often a worthwhile investment for those looking to protect their home.
Q: How can I find a reliable pet sitter while I’m away?
A: Seek recommendations from friends or vet clinics and conduct thorough background checks on potential pet sitters.
Q: What should I do if my home security system malfunctions while I’m away?
A: Contact the security system provider’s customer support for troubleshooting assistance or arrange for a technician to fix the issue.
