How to Keep Your Home Safe During Holiday Travels

Statistics show that property crime increases during the holiday season, which is a peak time for thieves to take advantage of homes filled with new gifts. Big-ticket items like jewelry and electronics are more likely to be left out in plain view.

If you’re planning on leaving your house for a week to travel, it’s best to take some precautions.

If you’re asking yourself, “What are ways of preparing my house for extended vacation?” these simple steps will help protect you and your family from becoming victims of crime.

Stay off social media

Refrain from posting photos of gifts and listing where and when you’re leaving your home for the holidays. This information could find its way into the wrong hands and make you an easy target for thieves.

Double-check windows and doors

You want your home to be as secure as possible when you leave. Make sure all window locks are functional and in the closed position. Check your garage door and any side doors as well. Securely lock sheds, and cut back trees or shrubs that could be used to access upper levels of the home.

Make it appear that someone is still home

You want anyone checking out your home to believe that someone is still there. Take the following steps to make it appear the home is occupied:

  • Park a car in the driveway
  • Use timers on exterior and interior lights to turn on and off at night at different times
  • Have a neighbor stop by to collect mail, water any plants and take out the garbage cans
  • Stop any regular doorstop deliveries like newspapers or packages that might pile up

Invest in motion-sensor lights

Exterior lights that are tripped by a motion sensor are a great burglary deterrent in general. They will definitely pay off whenever you’re away from home for the extra peace of mind. This will make any path to the home more conspicuous and deter would-be thieves.

Secure all vehicles

A major issue across the country this year is smash-and-grab thefts from cars. In some cases, the vehicles aren’t even locked. Make sure you’ve cleaned out your cars of anything valuable before you leave, including purses, wallets, electronics, etc. Then double-check that each of the vehicles is locked.

Store all gifts and boxes

Leaving out expensive items across the home also makes it a target for criminals. When you get those Amazon packages in the mail, store the items safely; then break down the boxes, and drop them in the recycling bin. Don’t let things pile up and become an item of interest for burglars.

We hope this guide addresses how important it is to prepare your house for an extended vacation. When you want qualified and experienced security personnel in any capacity, then Mohave Security LHC is here to provide support.

Our armed and unarmed guards are prepared to protect your event, property or person. When it comes to security, nothing beats hiring highly-trained professionals to keep things secure and safe. Give us a call right now to learn more and request a free quote.