Introduction
It goes without saying that in many ways a person’s home always is vulnerable to burglary. However, a home becomes even more a target for attack by a burglar when a person or family is away from the residence on holiday or for some other reason or purpose.
There are some commonsense steps that you can take to better protect your home while you are away on holiday or on other travels.
House Sitter
One of the best methods of ensuring optimal security to your residence during a period of absence is by having a trusted friend or family member actually stay in your home while you are aware. Obviously, by having a person actually stay at your residence while you are away, you are able to avoid having the house completely exposed due to the lack of any human presence whatsoever.
Notify Law Enforcement
As a community service, many cities and towns will increase police patrols in your neighborhood and around your house if you notify them that you will be gone for a period of time, that you will be absent from your house.
Naturally, police patrols -- increased or not -- are rather hit and miss by their very nature. But, of course, an added pass by your house on a given day certainly cannot hurt.
Arrange for Newspaper and Mail Pick-up
It might seem obvious to have the newspaper and mail deliver cancelled while you are away, or to have the newspaper and mail picked up in your absence by a trusted friend or family member, many people in haste to leave town forget make such arrangements. Piling newspapers and overflowing mail boxes truly are invitations to burglars.
Lights, Lights and More Lights
Make certain that lights remain burning in your house during the evening hours even in your absence. Timers can be useful devices. Plus, there are timers on the market now that will allow you to have lights in certain rooms of your house come on at different times each evening. While these are a bit more expensive, these do provided an added level of protection.
In this day and age, many a burglar will spend some time staking out a residence before making a move towards entry. Thus, if lights in your house are coming on and going off at the same time every evening, a burglar is going to be able to reasonable assume that you are away, that you are not home.