vacation HOME SECURITY CHECKLIST If your plans this summer include leaving your home for an extended period of time, don’t leave it unprotected. Here are a few important steps to help keep your home safe while you’re away.
Mow the lawn just before you leave or pay someone to mow it another time while you’re away.
Prune overgrown bushes and low hanging tree branches which may hide and provide access to an upper floor.
Leave your vacation itinerary and contact information with a trusted neighbor.
Hire a house sitter to water your plants, feed your pet and give your house a “lived-in” look. The sitter can stay overnight or check on your house once or twice a day.
Have a neighbor put out your trash and recycling on the correct day and put it away once emptied.
Don’t announce your vacation plans on social media or check in on Facebook from remote locations unless you’re only posting to trusted Friends.
Put a hold on your mail online at www.usps.com/holdmail or have a neighbor pick up your mail and packages every day.
Make sure all windows are shut and locked. Be sure to use the deadbolt on your doors.
Never hide keys in obvious places (such as under flower pots, doormats, rocks, etc.)
Disconnect your garage door opener so thieves can’t open it with a universal remote.
Invest in an alarm system and before you leave, check that it’s communicating with your monitoring service and smartphone (if applicable).
Get timers or wireless controllers for your indoor and outdoor lights and set them to go on/off during regular hours. Motion triggered exterior lights are a great deterrent to thieves.
Explore the many smart home options that allow you to control lighting, electrical outlets, your garage door and answer your doorbell from your phone when you’re away.