Useful Tips for a Worry-Free Getaway
Introduction:
Planning
a vacation is always an exciting task, but it's equally essential to ensure that
your house is safe and secure while you're away, especially while traveling
abroad, where you are disconnected from your local phone Network. Protecting
your house during your absence will not only give you peace of mind during
your travel but also ensure that you return to a stress-free environment and
continue your daily work schedule without any breaks. I have seen many cases
where people start off with an enthusiastic mood on their travel voyage, but
return home to find many untoward instances, be a burglary, a fire accident,
water logging, a short circuit, Frozen pipelines, and much more that will force them
to extend their holidays, ultimately spending more time and money in getting
things back to normalcy. Proper
planning in making some useful arrangements
before going on vacation will give you peace of mind on your return.
Though
there are many articles written on this topic, we'll explore some unique methods and practical
tips on how to safeguard your home while you enjoy your well-deserved vacation.
1. Inform Trusted Neighbours or Friends:
One of
the first steps in protecting your house while on your vacation is to
inform your trusted neighbors or friends about your travel plans a day before
your travel. There are many trusted activities that your
neighbors can do while on your vacation.
They can keep an eye on your property, collect your mail, and create the
illusion of an occupied home by occasionally switching on the lights, or even
watering the plants in your absence, switching on the Motor for filling the
water tanks (if you are having overhead water tanks). Additionally
having someone to check in periodically can help address any unexpected issues,
such as a burst pipe or a power outage, short circuit, water logging in case of a cloud burst, or a tree fall, etc.
An
overflowing mailbox or a stack of newspapers at your doorstep is a direct sign
that no one is available at home. Arrange with the delivery office to hold your
mail or ask a neighbor to collect it for you. Similarly, pause newspaper
deliveries during your vacation to avoid drawing attention to your absence. If you are regularly buying some groceries on a home delivery basis, you may stop them from delivery during your vacation.
2. Invest in a Home Security System:
Installing
a home security system is an excellent long-term investment for the safety of
your house. Modern security systems offer various features, such as motion
sensors, surveillance cameras, and alarms that can be linked to your
smartphone. Opt for a system that includes 24/7 monitoring so that any unusual
activity triggers an immediate response from the security company or local
authorities. This way you can control switching the lights on and off, especially during the evenings to have a feeling of someone
present in the house.
Also creating
the illusion that someone is at home is an effective way to deter potential
burglars. Invest in timers for your lights and electronics, such as TVs or
radios, to turn on and off at different intervals throughout the day. This
variability will make it more challenging for anyone watching your property to
discern a predictable pattern.
3. Install
Outdoor Lighting and Motion sensors
A
well-lit exterior lighting can be an effective deterrent for burglars trying to
trespass. Install motion-activated outdoor lighting around your property,
especially near entry points and dark corners. The sudden illumination can
startle intruders and draw attention to their presence, making them less likely
to proceed with any crooked plans.
Similarly, Motion Sensors are a very integral part of your home’s
indoor and outdoor security system. They detect movements of people in and
around your place when you are not at home, and it sets off sensor lights and
sends information to you on your phone about possible intruders in your home. Some motion sensors come with cameras to
take footage of movements and transmit this information to you and the inbox of
the security departments around you.
4. Maintain Landscaping:
A Un
trimmed garden or a dry plant can signal that the house is vacant. Do not leave any room for that. Hire a
Gardner to trim the lawn, water plants, and maintain your property while you're
away. This is more so if you have a private lawn or a garden on the front side
of your house. Some owners have a
permanent gardener to maintain their lawns and in this case, the gardener can
continue to maintain the lawn. Additionally, trimming hedges and bushes near
windows can eliminate potential hiding spots for intruders. Keeping the plants
wet by watering them regularly gives a feeling that someone is present in the
house. If you do not have a Gardner,
you can ask your neighbor to water the plants daily twice to feel the presence
of someone and also to keep the plants alive while on your vacation.
5. Avoid Broadcasting Your Vacation Plans:-
In the
age of social media, it is no doubt tempting to share your vacation plans with
friends and followers as you cannot control your anxiety and your dream plans
for your vacation. I have seen many
cases, where people start posting messages on social media even a day before
their departure, giving their flight routes, maps, and schedules and posting daily
pictures and events and making them public.
However, most of them do not
realize that announcing your absence publicly can make your home vulnerable to
break-ins. Resist your urge to post about the trip until after you return.
Instead, share your travel experiences once when you are back home safely.
Rather
you can create a blog and post your entire tour program, day-wise itinerary
and pictures, and important places to be seen and share your entire vacation experience
in the blog, but remember only on your return. This will not only protect your house from burglars’
break-ins but also give you an extended recollection of your sweet memories while
trying to post your experiences in the blog post. Creating a blog post will
also have fun and a lifetime memory of your tour album.
6. Secure all Entry Points:
Before
leaving for your vacation, double-check that all windows and doors are locked
securely, are all the locks working properly, do you have duplicate keys
available with you. Invest in sturdy deadbolts and reinforce weak
points, such as sliding doors, with additional security bars. For added
protection, consider installing smart locks that allow you to monitor and
control entry remotely, but this will involve shelling out additional money
from your pocket. Ensure not to reveal
the hanging locks of your main entrance door, if it is an external lock, rather
go in for Winding locks or security bars.
Else you can place a curtain on your Main door to hide the hanging locks
from being noticed. If you have a side
entrance, then the best thing would be to lock the main door from the inside and lock
the side door from the outside in order to have a feeling that the door is not
locked from the front side.
7. Be Cautious with Spare Keys:
Leaving
spare keys hidden outside your home, such as under a doormat or a potted plant,
or behind a wall hanging, is a common thing that many people do, but it is a risky
practice. Instead, give a spare key to a trusted neighbor or friend, who can
have access only to the main door just to switch on and off the lights and to check
all entry points once a day. Else you
can consider using a secure keyless entry system if your pocket suits you. Do
not make any additional duplicate keys from
any nearby key maker, for fear of cloning your key in his system or
molding device. Always go in for original
locks that have at least 3 duplicate keys along with the original key with the key
numbering system. This way you can be lest assured of any outsider trying to
duplicate your keys for any unauthorized entry to your house.
8.
Disconnect Electronic Devices:
Unplug
all non-essential electronic devices and appliances before leaving for your
vacation such as Airconditioning equipment, Washing / Laundry Machines, Dishwashers,
refrigerators, etc. Not only does this save energy, but it also protects your
home from potential electrical hazards, such as power surges or electrical
fires, short circuits, and voltage fluctuations that may hamper your equipment.
Do not switch off the mains (MCCB), as you may need to switch on the lights occasionally
using remote system lighting.
9.
Secure Valuables in a Safe or Off-Site:
Consider
securing valuable items, important documents, and sentimental belongings in a
home safe or a safety deposit box at your bank. A sturdy safe that is bolted to
the floor provides an added layer of protection for items that burglars may
target. This way, even if someone manages to enter your home, your most valuable
possessions remain safeguarded. Make a list and keep notes on things kept inside
the locker so that you may check those while on your return.
10. Have
your house Insurance in place:
Having
your house insured not only protects you from probable thefts, and breakage, but
also against destruction from natural calamities, like earthquakes, floods, or
a hurricane. Normally a House Insurance plan comes on a one-year term plan and getting
your house insured not only protects your house while on your vacation, but
also while you are residing in your house.
In this way, you are securing your entire house against any untoward
instances including burglary.
Conclusion:
Protecting
your house while on vacation is a responsibility that should not be
overlooked. Taking proactive steps to protect your house while on vacation is
crucial to ensure your trip remains stress-free and enjoyable. By informing neighbors,
installing a home security system, and taking precautionary measures, you can
significantly reduce the risk of burglary and ensure your home remains safe
during your absence. Avoid sharing your travel plans on social media and invest
in timers, lighting, and landscaping to create the illusion of an occupied
home. By following these tips, you can enjoy your vacation with peace of mind,
knowing that your house is well-protected.
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