Habits of Security 4

Habits of Security Part 4

Vacation Checklist

Your family is taking a vacation; all of your preparations are made: itinerary, reservations and you’re ready to start. But is your home ready for you to be gone? Here is a checklist of steps to secure your house in your absence.

*Stop the mail, newspapers and other deliveries. This is done really easily by taking a quick trip to your local post office. Fill out the paperwork to stop the delivery. When you return be sure to pick up your mail and resume delivery. This is a nice option from asking your neighbor to pick up the mail.

*Arrange to have your yard work done. A yard left unattended signals that it is sitting empty.

*Ask a neighbor to set out the trash on the regular collection days and returned to the driveway at end of the evening.

*Leave contact information with the neighbor or friend keeping an eye on the house while you are away. It is a nice gesture to reciprocate the service when they’re gone.

*Double check your alarm system to ensure it is working properly. If you have a monitoring service, alert them that you will be testing the system. Also inform them that you will be gone and give them the number for the person watching the house.

*Check timers. Set and use them for a day or two before leaving to be sure they turn lights and tv or radio on at the appropriate times.

*Turn the ringers on the phones down or off. A phone that keeps ringing tells a burglar there is no one home to answer it.

*Do not change the message on your answering machine. Never program it to tell people you are out of town or give another number where you can be reached. Instead, call in every once in a while and access messages from a different phone.

*Avoid discussing your travel plans in public. You never know who could be listening close by.

*On your luggage use tags that can’t be easily read. Or, better yet, use your business address on all of your luggage.

*If you leave a car at home, park it in the driveway and not the garage. Arrange to have it moved from time to time or have a neighbor park in your driveway now and again.

*Unplug the electric garage door opener.

*In the summer keep the air conditioner on. A quiet air conditioner on a hot day signals that no one is home.

*Leave the blinds in their normal position.

*Chose a house sitter that can be trusted.

*Take one last walk-through to be sure everything is secured: windows, doors, and alarm system.