8 Tips For Preparing Your Home Security For Summer Vacation
When it comes to home security, there are a few extra steps you should take to secure your home while you’re away on summer vacation. Here are eight simple tips to help keep your home safe and secure while you’re away:
1. Make sure all doors and windows are locked before you leave. This includes any doors or windows that may be hidden from view. It may be tempting to think "oh, all the windows and doors are locked...I don't need to check them all!" But, set aside 10 minutes of your time and just go window to window and door to door to make sure.
2. If you have an alarm system, make sure it is set and working properly. Remember to test your alarm monthly! For our customers with a DSC alarm, make sure to check out our step-by-step guide on how to reset and test your alarm by clicking here: https://www.genxsecurity.com/single-post/manually-reset-the-dsc-security-system-for-daylight-savings
3. Let your neighbors know you will be gone and ask them to keep an eye on your home. Ask them if they would bring your garbage cans in, pick up any newspapers that are laying on the front step or walk, and to call or text you if anything looks suspicious. If you have a neighborhood patrol or off duty police officer, let them know you'll be out of town so they can swing by and check on your house and walk the perimeter.
4. Make sure all valuables are out of sight and inaccessible. Even though your house will be locked, consider also locking away in a separate room or in a safe your most precious jewelry, firearms, and anything else that would be an attractive thing for a thief to steal. If your bedroom doors have handles with keyed locks, make sure you lock those doors as well as an extra step, especially if you have pet sitters coming in while you are away.
5. Stop all mail and newspaper deliveries while you’re away. This is an easy thing to do an usually only takes making a phone call to the newspaper service and filing out a hold form with the post office. When you return you'll be able to pick up all your held mail from the post office and stop the hold.
6. Keep your landscaping trimmed and neat. This will help deter would-be burglars. Sometimes in the rush of getting things ready for vacation it's easy to overlook doing things like trimming up the yard, but taking the time to get the yard looking tidy will make your home look occupied while you are away. If you don't have time, consider hiring a neighborhood kid to mow your yard before you leave or while you are away.
7. If possible, have someone house sit while you’re gone. If you have an Alarm.com smart home security system with smart locks integrated by GenX Security, you'll be able to see who goes in and out in real-time with alerts. You can also remotely unlock smart locks right from your security app when a scheduled visitor arrives, such as the pet sitter, housekeeper, neighbor, or neighborhood patrol officer. If you do not have the Alarm.com app or smart home security, give us a call and we'll get you set up ASAP!
8. Test your security cameras and camera notifications! Make sure your security cameras are working properly on demand and all debris is cleared from the lenses and any surrounding obstructions are removed.
By following these tips, you can help ensure your home is safe and secure while you’re away on summer vacation so you can have peace of mind!
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