Going
on Vacation?
By Michael McBee
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.
