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Going
on vacation?
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by: Michael
McBee
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Is
your home safe?
In the hustle and bustle of
getting ready to go on
vacation we prepare for many
things. But for many of us we
forget about protecting our
home while we travel. I have
compiled a few tips about what
to do about the place you will
be leaving behind, your home.
If you are able to do just a
few of them there is a better
likelihood your home will be
just the way you left it.
One of the times your home is
most vulnerable is when it is
left empty for an extended
period of time. Darkened
windows, unretrieved mail or
newspapers and closed windows
in hotter weather all
advertise your absence to a
potential burglar.
The best protection for your
home during your absence is to
have a house sitter. A friend
you trust staying at your
house can take care of your
pets and/or plants in addition
to making sure the house is
inhabited. Have a neighbor
check on your home while
you're away turning on lights,
radios or TVs and opening and
closing curtains will give
your apartment the appearance
that someone is home.
If you don't have a friend or
neighbor to housesit or check
your home while you're away --
perhaps even if you do - you
should keep not only lights
but also a TV or radio on a
timer. If you're like me and
have your TV on almost all the
time you're home (NOTE: I
don't watch it, it's just
background noise while I
work), the absence of the
sound and that bluish light in
the windows announces that
you're not there (besides it
keeps my pets company as
well).
Make sure whoever is checking
your home while you're away
knows how to work your alarm
system and who to call in case
of a problem or emergency.
Additionally be sure to leave
contact numbers on how you can
be reached as well. Unless you
have a house sitter, stop your
mail and any newspaper or
other delivery. Nothing
announces an empty home better
than a stack of newspapers or
an overflowing mailbox. Ask a
nearby neighbor to pick up any
packages delivered while
you're gone.
If you have a garden or plants
on your balcony like many
apartment complexes do, make
sure someone is watering the
plants regularly or put the
plants where they can't be
seen. Plants slowly dying due
to lack of water may announce
your absence.
If you live in an apartment,
check your lease. Many
landlords require that you
notify them if your apartment
is going to be left empty for
any period of time (this is so
they can enter in case of
emergency even if they can't
reach you). If you've got a
house sitter this normally
isn't necessary.
Above is just some common
sense tips, maybe they can
help you jog you mind and you
will think of a few others.
There is nothing worse than
coming home from a wonderful
time on vacation to find that
your home has been violated.
About the Author
Michael McBee is the owner
of http://www.NonLethalDefense.com
Self-Defense is not just about
your personal security, it's
also about everything around
you.
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