We’ve all watched “Home Alone” and know those infamous ’wet bandits.’
But other than leaving your 7 or 8 year old home to guard your house while you travel
(which by the way is not a good idea and can lead to tar on the basement stairs and
chicken feathers in the dining room), there are a number of things you can do to help
protect your home in your absence.
Ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on your home
Ask a neighbor to park a car in your driveway
Lock all doors and windows and lock the garage door by turning off the opener
Set the home security system/alarm
Tip: If you have a home alarm system, place the monitoring company’s signs in the yard or on doors and windows
Set up timers on a lamps to go on and off at different times during the night
Play a radio
Stop mail and newspaper delivery
Tip: Stop the paper the day before to make sure that the person delivering the paper has received your temporary stop directions
Close blinds to rooms with electronics or other valuables so they won’t be visible
Arrange for a lawn service if you will be away for an extended period
Give a key to your home to a trusted friend so they can check the interior while you’re away
Tip: Don’t hide a key on the exterior of your home
Trim shrubbery so they’re not easy to hide behind
Make sure all outdoor lighting is working properly
Consider installing a motion detector
Don’t leave a message on your answering machine saying you’re not home
Ask your police department to do a vacation watch
Unplug appliances
Shut the water off to the washing machine
Pack your car in the garage with the door closed (don’t advertise that you’re going away)
