Planning a summer getaway? Good for you. Whether your destination is Disneyland or a secluded spot in the Rockies, there are some things you can do to keep your home safe while you’re away.
Don’t worry, none of them involve hiring a security guard or setting up booby traps of “Home Alone” proportions.
Instead, here are some simple tips from the Insurance Information Institute that will ensure that your home remains safe and sound without you in it.
Make a break-in time consuming: Dead-bolt your doors and stick wooden dowels in your windows to slow burglars down. Dead bolts can actually lead to a discount on your insurance policy.
Make a break-in noisy: Invest in a burglar alarm. The most effective systems ring at an outside service, which alerts police, fire and other emergency personnel.
Keep valuables out of sight: Don’t give would-be crooks a reason to break into your home. Keep cash, jewelry and other valuables out of sight. Also remember to turn off your computer to make it more difficult for burglars to access your personal information.
Keep your home well lit: Mount exterior lights out of reach of would-be burglars in your yard or on your house. Put indoor lights on a timer so that they go on and off at appropriate times, making it look as if the house is inhabited.
Arrange to have mail picked up or held by the post office. Stop newspaper deliveries and ask a neighbor to pick-up “throw-away” circulars.
Does that help? If you’d like to read a bit more, here’s the tip sheet from the Insurance Information Institute.