As spring turns to summer, families begin to set their sights on vacation. Unfortunately, as more and more families travel each year, the number of burglaries do too. Before you set out on your next vacation adventure, take a few moments to prepare your home. Doing so may prevent the trip of a lifetime from turning into the summer of tragedy.

Hold the Mail

Nothing says you are out of town than an overflowing mailbox or a pile of newspapers. Unless you have a friend or neighbor collecting your mail on a daily base, have your local post office hold your mail. Also, make sure you have any scheduled deliveries made before or after your vacation. Boxes left on the front step for more than one day are ripe targets for even the most novice of thieves.

Clean Your Car

The inside of your car that is. If you plan on driving yourself to the airport, cruise port, or train station for your upcoming vacation, be sure to remove any personal information from your vehicle. The sheer fact you have parked in long-term parking signifies to any passerby you are away from your home.

Before leaving on vacation, remove the following items from your vehicle:

• Spare keys
• Toll passes
• Vehicle title
• Insurance cards
• Garage door opener
• Removable placards

Criminals are savvy to know that given the opportunity to enter your vehicle, they may find just enough information to learn your address. Remove anything with personal data on it. And don’t forget to take your garage door opener with you!

Imaginary Residents

From sophisticated home automation systems to basic timers, place some lamps on random on/off cycles to create the illusion someone is home. A dark home is an invitation for unwanted guests. And leaving all your lights on is not only a waste of energy but also a sign that something isn’t normal.

Secure the Spare

Many homeowners will keep a spare key hidden outside the home. As creative as you may be hiding your spare, criminals who know you are away also know, they have the time to search as many hiding spots they find. Remove and secure all spare keys before you leave and remember to replace them upon your return.

Not So Social

Planning your vacation is exciting, and we often want to share our excitement with our friends and family on social media. As tempting as it may be, try not to share your destination and especially the dates you will be gone. Privacy settings have their limits, and scrupulous users will seize the opportunity to take advantage of the unsuspecting.

Once on vacation, try to refrain from posting on social media. Doing so could be even more revealing to potential criminals as posting confirms you are no longer at home. If there are reasons you must share your travels, consider using email or establishing private, invite-only groups on one of the social media platforms.

Trusted Check-Ins

Family and friends can be a good form of security while on vacation. Ask a trusted individual to visit your home at random times in your absence. When they visit your home, have them:

• Bring in your mail
• Look for any leaks
• Walk the perimeter
• Check the temperature
• Secure all windows and doors

An added benefit of having a friendly check-in is it makes it appear as though someone may indeed be home. Even just a hint that someone may be around could be enough to deter a break-in.

Pull the Plugs

One strong thunderstorm could be enough to send a surge to knock out power to your home or worse, damage electronics. Although surge stopping devices may be a good insurance policy for your equipment, unplugging such items as televisions, game consoles, and other devices may not only protect them from any possible surge, but also from turning on accidentally and burning out.

Another plug—which should be pulled—is your automatic garage door opener. Today’s thief is more technically savvy than ever. With enough money or ingenuity, even rolling-code garage doors can be opened. Just be sure to lock the garage door using the locking mechanism near the rails.

Help Secure Your Property

Be sure to secure your valuables before your departure. Not only should you be concerned about theft of valuable property, but also guarding against hazards such as fire or bad weather. Place your valuables in a fireproof safe. Don’t forget to include valuable papers such as titles, insurance policies, birth and marriage certificates, and financial statements. If the safe is not bolted down, be sure it is hidden in a secure location. Consider storing your most valuable of valuables at a local bank safe deposit box.

Tip-Off Your First Responders

Depending on where you live, notifying the local police department may afford some additional security. It isn’t worthwhile to call the police for short trips, but consider doing so when traveling for more than a week. An officer in your area may make an extra patrol in your neighborhood.

Even if you are leaving for a quick weekend getaway, make sure you contact your alarm monitoring company. Doing so will update your account and remove any uncertainty of a false alarm if triggered. Now is also a good time to put your alarm company’s sticker in the window or their signs on the lawn.

To learn more about protecting your home, contact our team at protectiveagency.com at (877) 839-9367. Our licensed insurance agents will be happy to answer any questions you have.