| If you're going on your dream vacation, you probably | | | | weeks or more. The purpose of this is to make it |
| can't wait to get away! You have it planned right | | | | appear that someone is living in the home and taking |
| down to the last detail, and it's going to be perfect. | | | | care of the property. |
| Perfect, that is, until you return from your vacation | | | | Give your housesitter the spare key directly, rather |
| only to find out that your house has been ransacked | | | | than hiding it under the doormat or anywhere else on |
| and all of your belongings are missing. This happens | | | | your property. If you have a habit of hiding a key in |
| to more people each year than you probably realize. | | | | case you lock yourself out, remove it before you |
| Don't let it happen to you! | | | | leave for vacation. Burglars know all of the hiding |
| Planning for home security when you're going on | | | | spots for hidden keys, and will find yours. |
| vacation is crucial, but it is often overlooked. Even | | | | Use electrical timers to approximate your normal |
| those with an alarm system should consider their | | | | routine. Those with dogs may also want to purchase |
| home security before they leave. You should never | | | | a barking dog alarm. Those who are leaving for a |
| leave home for an extended period of time without | | | | week or more should have a neighbor or friend park |
| taking the following precautions: | | | | their car in the driveway occasionally. The purpose of |
| Conduct a home security check. Walk around your | | | | such timed noises and lights is to make your home |
| home, and make sure all of the doors and windows | | | | appear to be lived in. |
| are locked securely. For added security, install alarms, | | | | Never change your answering machine message to |
| security lights, and cameras around exterior doors | | | | let others know you'll be away from home for any |
| and windows. Some security cameras can even be | | | | period of time. While this may seem like a courteous |
| networked so that you can check in on your home | | | | step, it will actually let potential criminals know just |
| through the internet while you're away. | | | | when to attack. You may also be able to access |
| Make sure your mail and newspaper deliveries aren't | | | | your voicemail remotely so that you can respond to |
| stacking up. If you'll be gone for an extended period | | | | messages promptly even when you're away. At the |
| of time, have the post office hold your mail, and | | | | same time, do inform your trusted neighbors that |
| stop your newspaper delivery. If you've hired | | | | you will be gone, so that they can keep an eye on |
| someone to watch your house while you're away, | | | | your home. |
| have them pick up your mail and newspapers. If you | | | | Burglars look for the easiest targets- a home that |
| let your deliveries stack up outside your home, | | | | looks unoccupied, with an easy entrance point. While |
| burglars will surely know that you've left, making this | | | | you're gone on vacation, a burglar will have an easier |
| a prime opportunity to break in without getting | | | | time getting in and out without getting caught. |
| caught. | | | | Assess your security risks before you go away for |
| Along the same principle, hire someone to cut your | | | | peace of mind that you won't return to a burglarized |
| grass, shovel your snow, and otherwise care for | | | | home. |
| your property, especially if you're leaving for several | | | | |