10 Home Security Tips for Safeguarding Your Home While You're Away
Summer vacation time is here! As your trusted real estate agent, I understand the importance of peace of mind while you're away. That's why I've crafted this blog post, offering essential tips to safeguard your home and belongings during your vacation.
1. Inform Your Neighbors
Santa Barbara residents are known for their strong sense of community, making it easier to rely on neighbors to keep an eye on homes during vacations. By sharing your travel dates and keys with a trusted neighbor, you can rest assured that someone local is looking after your property and will quickly reach out to you if needed. This mutual support fosters a safer and more secure environment for everyone in our wonderful community.
2. Hold Your Mail, Stop Your Newspaper and Don’t Post on Social Media
A full mailbox or a pile of newspapers can serve as a clear signal to potential intruders that your home is vacant. To counter this, take proactive steps such as arranging for the US Postal Service to hold your mail and requesting a temporary stoppage of newspaper deliveries while you're away.
Also, avoid sharing travel plans and activities on social media as it can unintentionally notify strangers of your absence, potentially making your home a target for burglary. It's wise to wait until you're back home to post those vacation pictures.
3. Hire a Dog Sitter or Secure the Doggy Door
Having a barking dog is a powerful deterrent against potential burglars. If you're planning to leave your dog behind, platforms like Nextdoor and Rover can connect you with experienced dog sitters who can care for your pets and keep a watchful eye on your property.
If you choose to board your dogs instead, it's important to lock your doggy door. Consider placing a chair or a plant in front of it to add an extra layer of security.
4. Leave the Lights On
To create the appearance that your home is occupied while you're away, consider using timers for your interior lights and installing motion-activated lighting outside.
Enhancing your outdoor lighting is an effective way to boost security. Upgrading to brighter lights, especially in dark corners and entryways, helps illuminate these areas and discourages unauthorized access.
5. Remove Spare Keys
Hidden keys pose a significant security threat as they can easily be discovered by individuals with malicious intent. Make sure to remove them before you leave.
6. Lock Your Gates
While it may seem convenient to leave gates unlocked for regular access, doing so can compromise the safety of your property when you're away. And while you might be tempted to leave them unlocked so that your gardener and other service providers can keep their schedule, it’s just not a good idea.
Remember, prioritizing security over minor inconveniences is a wise investment in safeguarding your home and belongings, especially while you're away having fun.
7. Cancel Automatic Deliveries
Having regular deliveries accumulate at your front door can indicate to passersby that your home is unattended. To mitigate this risk, consider canceling automatic deliveries while you're away. Not only does this prevent packages from being stolen, but it also helps maintain a low profile while you’re away.
8. Keyless Entry? Wipe Away Your Fingerprints
For homes with keyless entry systems, cleaning the touchpad to remove fingerprints regularly is essential. Thieves can exploit fingerprint patterns left on the touchpad to deduce entry codes. Develop a daily routine of wiping down the keypad to ensure it remains free of identifiable prints.
9. Update Your Security System
A robust security system is the best deterrent against break-ins. The options are vast, from simple alarms to sophisticated monitored systems with video surveillance. Outdoor and indoor cameras can monitor property, entryways, and even the inside of your home. Many cameras today are small enough to be concealed in doorbells and offer high-quality video accessible from your smartphone.
Visible yard signs and window stickers indicating a security system can also be highly effective. Research shows most burglars avoid homes with such signage, giving them a reason to look elsewhere.
10. Alexa Away Mode
Some of us leave lights, music, or television running while absent to deter burglars. However, a novel Alexa skill named "Away Mode" proposes an alternative approach. Rather than traditional methods, play extended audio recordings that mimic genuine-sounding conversations. Or, consider using apps that generate random barking or growling sounds, which can deter burglars who perceive the presence of a dog as a significant deterrent.
By implementing these 10 home security tips, you can vacation with peace of mind, knowing your home is safeguarded. For ultimate protection, consider investing in a comprehensive whole-house security system like those featured in many of my current listings. Interested in exploring further? Contact me at (805) 886.9378 or via email at Cristal@montecito-estate.com. Remember, prioritizing home security is essential each time you step out. With consistent attention, securing your home will become second nature.
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