Summer is here, which means the vacation season is officially in full force. Whether you’re planning to jet off overseas, take a road trip, or even head to your local beach for a few days, many of us have travel plans that we’re excited about. But unfortunately, your time away from home also makes your house more vulnerable to burglary.
However, that doesn’t mean you should go away and be worried. Rather, the contrary. Consider this the perfect opportunity to finally get proactive about securing your home. Here are four things you should always do before you go on vacation.
Automate Your Lights With Smart Lighting
Jim Nye, Vivint CPO, recommends automating your lights with smart bulbs. “A property that remains dark all night might signal to potential thieves that the house is unoccupied. Automated smart lighting inside and out can be very effective in deterring burglars.”
Vivint offers a smart lighting system that allows you to create custom schedules on an easy-to-use app. However, if you are on a budget or rent your home, there are plenty of smart bulbs on the market that are compatible with systems you may already have, such as Alexa or Google Home.
Keep in mind that you don’t need to buy smart bulbs for every room. Start with just the rooms that have windows facing the street.
Secure All Doors and Windows With Sensors
Before you head out for an extended time away, make sure all the windows and doors are closed and locked. Don’t forget to take one last look before you hit the road. Nye tells me it can be easy to miss that basement window or that back door you rarely use. “By installing smart sensors throughout your home ahead of time, you’ll be able to easily see which doors and windows are still open via a central app and secure them accordingly before you go.”
Swap Out Your Spare Keys for Smart Locks
Professional thieves know what to look for and this includes the spare key that many of us keep hidden under a rock or planter on the front porch. Smart locks are a far better solution to this problem. “Smart locks can be controlled remotely and allow you to give a friend an access code, so they can watch your house while you’re away. You can also stay notified of their activity the whole time,” says Nye.
No time to install a smart lock before you go? Make plans to give anyone planning to come by a key in person, instead of potentially setting yourself up for trouble.
Plan for Package Deliveries
Did you order sunscreen and it didn’t arrive in time? What about that monthly box subscription scheduled to arrive the day after you leave? Nye advises planning for package deliveries and using a doorbell camera (they're often part of wireless doorbell systems). “Unattended packages on your porch are a clear sign that no one is home—and they also present a prime opportunity for porch piracy.”
He recommends protecting your home by placing orders that will be delivered before or after your vacation. “If packages must arrive while you’re away, you can use a doorbell camera to deter porch pirates and receive alerts about those deliveries.”
You also ask a neighbor to come by and take your packages inside while you're away. Then return the favor by doing the same for them while they’re on vacation.
Lastly, you may be able to ask your local post office, or couriers like FedEx and UPS, to hold your boxes or reschedule delivery dates. If you have items on Amazon subscribe and save—be sure to change those dates or pause the month if need be.
Read more at Real Simple
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