If you are planning a vacation that will take you away from your home for any length of time you should at least do these top ten things.
You should always make sure you have a member of your family, family friend or neighbor that you have contacted and let them know you will not be there to watch your house and have their number to be able to call them in case of an emergency.
Give your neighbor or friend a key to your house so they can bring in the mail, watch your pets and generally just make your home not look vacant while you are away.
Purchase light timers that will go on at regular times that you are normally there not to send up a red flag to any potential thief that you are not home. They will turn on and off lights in your home making it appear you are at home.
Never leave a message on your phone that you are away since this will just tell a burglar you are not at home.
Put away all tools or lawn equipment like mowers, edgers and other tools that could be stolen or need to be secured inside so they will not alert someone that you have not used them in a while.
It is also very important not to leave your garage door opener inside your cars that will be left outside or were they can be broken into that will allow a thief access inside your home.
Check all windows and doors prior to leaving. If a window is cracked or left open it is giving one more reason and easy access to any burglar.
When you are leaving to go on your trip if you are driving or flying make sure you do make it real obvious. Make sure that you do not leave your luggage, bags and vacation supplies sitting on your driveway or in your front yard letting people know that you are leaving on a trip.
It is also important that you do not list your address on the outside of your luggage. Many homes are burglarized because the burglars did their research and found out that you would not be home by checking your address on your luggage at the airport. Once they know you have left at the airport they have free reign to your home.
You may want to get a house sitter. This is a person that takes care of all of your things and stays at your home while you are away. Your pets will be looked after, the plants will be watered, the mail checked, the lawn mowed and the presence of someone there will deter burglars.
If you follow these 10 steps you should be able to leave your home and enjoy your time away without worrying about your pets and belongings still being there when you get back.
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