Burglers always look for signs that a house is uninhabited and the longer the house is empty, the more vulnerable it becomes. Follow these tips for keeping your house secure while you’re away:
- If your plans to be away from home have been publicized through a funeral, wedding, social media or similar newspaper notice, hire a house sitter. Burglars are always looking for information to see who’s planning to be away from home all day or for several days.
- Install motion detector lighting, the jury is out on the extent to which lighting can actually deter burglars. After all, many burglaries do occur during the day, when lighting wouldn’t even be a factor. Still, some research has shown that motion detectors deter burglars thanks to their sudden onset and possibility of alerting neighbors to suspicious activity, especially when those neighbors know you’re away and wouldn’t be triggering the lights yourself. Motion detector lights are easy to install and extremely affordable, so we think they’re worth installing to add an extra layer of safety to your home’s exterior areas.
- Ask your neighbors to use your garbage cans when you’re on vacation so your absence won’t be so evident.
- If you’re going to be away from home for several days or even for just one day adjust your telephone ring to its lowest volume. An unanswered phone is a quick tip that your home is empty.
