The security risks increase when homes are empty, the lack of human presence makes them more vulnerable to burglary, squatters, and vandalism.
Security and safety are everybody’s priority. Moreover, it takes careful planning and preparation to pin everything; even minor changes can do a lot to boost home security.
Start with these simple steps.
Double check your Locks.
Never leave the house without checking if it is securely locked. Assuming other occupants have done so is a risk. Check all of the windows and exits including the garage. Hide ladders and tools that can be used as accessories. Burglars lurk around waiting for crimes of opportunity, so do not hand them the tools.
Give it a lived-in feel.
A well-maintained and lighted house looks occupied. Keep your curtains or blinds open and install an automatic light switch timer. Yards and gardens should be well kept, call for regular garden services to maintain the lawn and trim hedges. Landscaping can be used as an aid to home security. Thorny plants or bushes can help deter entry on the ground floor.
Use visual deterrents.
Do not be an easy target. Put up signs and warnings like ‘Beware of Dogs’ or install security cameras in conspicuous places. A CCTV at the entrance, for example, is hard to miss. Increasing security will put the property last on the burglar’s list.
Sign up for the neighborhood watch.
It pays to be friendly! Make friends with your neighbors and get to know them better, you can use some extra help in looking after your house while you are on vacation. They are the ones who can directly observe and report any unusual activities around the property.
Be discreet.
Don’t go announcing your empty property to the public, social media or people you meet in the neighborhood. Keep a low profile and ask help only from people you feel can be trusted, especially around the community. If you have just transferred or bought new things for the house, hide the empty boxes or throw them away. Nothing is more inviting than freshly emptied boxes of high-valued items.
Likewise, never leave notes for others outside the door, it is like a flag waving and inviting burglars to come in. The same also applies to the mailbox, if no one can do the job of collecting the mail on your behalf, it would be best to stop or divert all newspaper and mail deliveries.
Now that the basics are covered, start off with the most important part of holiday safety and secure the following.
Locks.
Investing in a sturdy lock is as essential as changing locks and security codes regularly. 6% of unlawful entries are committed by people who have access to the house. It can be an old renter, workers, guests, or even friends.
Alarms systems.
It is best to install an alarm system; this will help delay or even prevent intruders, giving owners more time to respond. They come with an alert option via the phone, where the security provider can contact the owner.
A-1 Locksmith of the Palm Beaches, Inc. (www.a1gmtlocksmith.com) has been providing locksmith services to the West Palm Beach, Florida area for well over twenty years. They maintain a blog dedicated to all things home security for the benefit of the community.
Source:
2016, LockLatchTM. “Security Tips for Your Holiday Home.” December 3, 2015. Accessed September 20, 2016. http://www.locklatch.co.za/security-tips-holiday-home/.
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