Keep Your House Safe While You are Gone With These Security Tips

In a lot of areas, houses will be left empty more during the summer and fall than any other time of the year. Taking a summer vacation or fall getaway is popular, and during these times of the year thieves are presented the opportunity to break into empty houses. These tips will prevent you and your home from being the next victim of robbery in your neighborhood.

Don't advertise that you'll be away

For instance, do not have the post office hold your mail because you don't know if anyone else has access to the information. It's great if you have trust in your mail carrier. But can you trust the 3rd shift worker that may find out that you are out of town? Have a trusted friend or relative pick up the mail instead. If you don't know your neighbors very well, don't tell them you'll be away. Encourage any teenagers you have to keep it quiet from their friends, too. The vast amount of break-ins will be committed by someone who knows you or had specific knowledge that you will be gone.

Pay someone to house sit

This is always a good idea in most situations, but especially if you have pets that need to be taken care of. If you have someone you trust in your house it is one of the best ways to prevent burglaries since your house will not look like it is empty. In addition, your pets will prefer staying in their home instead of staying in a kennel while you are away. Also, tell your house sitter not to let people know they will be alone at your home!

Think about adding locks, an alarm or cage for your outside hvac unit

Condensing units are the outside component in a heat pump or central a/csystem. These are being stolen in large numbers because of the valuable metals they contain -- which can be sold to a scrap dealer. An experienced thief can steal one in under 10 minutes while a relative amateur may take an hour. A home that is empty will give a thief the time they need to steal it and will assure any noise they make will not be heard. Having a condensing unit cage or alarm installed will protect your valuable unit 24/7, all year.

If your home is empty, make it look like it isn't

Leave a spare car outside the garage. Leave lights and radios on a timer. Get a friend or neighbor to bring in your newspaper or packages so they do not sit on your front porch announcing that no one is home.

Following these 4 tips will give you peace of mind as you enjoy a late summer vacation or get away on a fall color tour. They are easy to do and have proven to be effective in keeping your house safe from thefts. No one wants to deal with a lengthy insurance claimwhen you return to your house after a fun family trip!