Protect Your Home While Traveling

Statistics indicate that approximately 2.5 million burglaries happen annually in the United States. Here are a few basics when it comes to keeping your home safe while traveling for the holiday season.

Get a house sitter

Getting a house sitter is an effective way to ensure your home's safety while on your vacation. A house sitter will keep an eye out for suspicious people hovering around your property. However, they have other benefits. For instance, devastating disasters can be prevented when there's someone at home to detect them early. What's more, they can maintain your home and take care of your pets, reducing your post-vacation stress. That said, you can have a trusted relative or friend step in for you. If that's not possible, you can hire the services of a professional house sitter as an alternative. 

However, ensure that your house-sitter is a trusted person with a good reputation. As a tip, leverage credible house sitter sites and read the reviews for an informed decision. It's also prudent to leave instructions on how you want your house to be handled. If you have pets, it'll be best to inform your house-sitter on how to feed and care for them. It is advisable to give them these instructions well in advance. 

Leave some lights on

Suppose hiring a house sitter isn't a feasible option. In that case, you should create an impression that your home is occupied. An occupied home has lights going on and off or cars going in and out. Although these activities may stop when you're away, you can still replicate them. For instance, you can get your neighbors to park one of their cars in your driveway to create the illusion of someone being at home. You can also suspend your mail delivery and keep pending packages at the post office until you return. 

Burglars may suspect you aren't home if you miss trash day. Therefore, get your neighbor to cart your trash bins to the edge of your driveway, even if it's empty. Thanks to technology, you can switch on the lights in your home without being there. That said, you can invest in smart bulbs that can be controlled from your phone. 

Install a home security system 

Investing in a home security system can increase your home's safety while giving you peace of mind. This setup allows you to observe your home in your absence and notifies you of domestic hazards like fire or gas problems. Most importantly, it deters robbers and burglars from vandalizing your home. Although there are various types on the market, it's best to consult with a credible home security company for the best security system for your property.