Home security is a major concern for homeowners nowadays with a constant rise in shocking incidents such as thefts, burglaries, and unauthorized access attempts. Thus, taking preventative measures is crucial to safeguarding your residential property and protecting the life of your loved ones. Especially, when you take out time from your hectic schedule and plan a much-needed vacation with your family, there is definitely no one to take care of the house. Hence, you must put in efforts to keep the property safe in your absence.
The alarming cases necessitate the need to understand the fundamentals of home security, whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, or just worried about your personal belongings.
With the advent of technology, the modern world has witnessed the use of well-designed home security systems that elevate the protection measures. At the same time, there are also other important factors related to electricity etc., that need to be taken care of when no one is home.
How to Secure Home When Leaving for a Vacation?
We bring to you some crucial tips to secure your home so that you go ahead with relishing a pleasant vacation experience.
Install High-tech Locks
You may explore various high-tech smart lock or deadbolt lock options much before the departure date of your holiday. This helps add an extra layer of protection. You may contact a professional residential locksmith operating in your area to discuss your requirements and get the relevant lock installed. They may also suggest you get an anti-theft system, an alarm system, and a CCTV surveillance system installed.
When you leave for your trip, lock all doors and windows, be it about the basement, terrace, or any other space. If you have a garage at home, you must lock it as well. Moreover, you are advised to look for a garage door opener with a rolling code to ensure additional security.
Stop Daily Newspaper and Mail Delivery
You can stop newspaper and mail delivery services to prevent accumulation of papers. Otherwise, this collection may indicate that no one is home, as the papers are not being read.
Illuminate Your Home
It is beneficial to install timers or smart light bulbs to create an impression that someone is home. These bulbs light up on their own in the evening. Even if you are leaving for a night-out or dinner, you can leave a lamp or two on in the evening or night to show as if you are awake.
Keep Valuables Locked Separately
Make sure to keep your valuables and precious belongings like jewelry, cash, or important documents locked in a safe or any other secure place. You may contact a house locksmith expert for safe installation services. Even if you forget the safe combination, the locksmith can help you open it in no time.
Use House Sitter Services
You can hire a house sitter to take care of your home. It is beneficial as they can inform you about any doubtful activity. They can also perform the daily tasks like collecting newspapers, cleaning the outdoor areas, watering plants, etc., which shows that the house is not empty. You may also ask them to stay inside the house and sleep there for security.
Leave Your Car in the Courtyard or Driveway
If no car is visible at home, it’s a potential sign of an empty house. Thus, you can keep your car in the driveway. If this is not possible, you can ask your neighbour to keep their car in the driveway. This creates an illusion that there are people at home. You may get a car security system installed by calling an automotive locksmith expert so as to ensure safety of the car.
Monitor Your Home Remotely
It is beneficial to install a smart doorbell camera or a security system so that you can track access or monitor your home while sitting anywhere in the world. If by chance you notice an unauthorized access attempt, you can inform your neighbors to take quick action or call the local police.
Keep Spare Keys Inside
You might have kept a spare or extra key somewhere outside or at a hidden spot, which can easily be found by others. Thus, be mindful of either keeping it inside or handing it over to a trustworthy friend when you leave for a holiday.
Unplug Appliances and Electronics
Make sure to unplug all the electrical appliances and devices like TVs, computers, laptops, geysers etc., in order to prevent power surges. This also helps reduce the risk of fire.
Set Your Thermostat
Do consider adjusting your thermostat to save energy. This also helps prevent pipes from freezing in case the weather is cold.
Be Careful About Weather Conditions
If inclement weather is predicted or a storm is likely to occur, as per the weather forecast, or as you may sense it if you are going on a vacation at such a time of the year, you must implement measures to ensure the safety of your home. If you have furniture or other belongings lying in your outdoor area, make sure to keep them inside. You may also make provisions beforehand to prevent water stagnation and other such related issues. If some of your important items are kept on the terrace, make sure to keep them inside, as rains may spoil the same.
Additional Points to Remember
- You can notify your neighbours about your trip and ask them to keep an eye on your home. Sharing your contact information with them is also recommended, as they can get in touch with you in case of an emergency. You may also give them a key but only if you trust them.
- You may suspend lawn mowing or landscaping services until you return home, as such activities may attract unwanted attention to your residence.
- You might be a social media enthusiast. However, it is advised to avoid sharing your vacation pictures or updates online. You can do the same once you return to your home.
Follow these golden tips and get all set to enjoy your vacation knowing that your home is protected from potential threats.
Installing Home Security Systems
Let’s take a look at some of the leading home security system options that you must consider to enhance the safety of your residential property.
Simple Alarm Systems
Featuring sensors and detectors, these systems alert you when an access attempt is made by an intruder. You can get these systems installed on doors, windows, and walls. They are easy to install.
High-tech Alarm Systems
These advanced systems offer enhanced features such as motion detectors, glass break detectors, and smoke detectors. Their installation is a bit complicated, and they are expensive too.
Smart Home Security Systems
These systems can be integrated with the Wi-Fi network at your home. You can use them even remotely with the help of a mobile app. Features like smart locks, doorbell cameras, etc., are often found in these systems.
Anti-Theft Systems
These systems feature motion-activated sensors which help detect movement or an activity. So, whenever someone enters a particular area, these systems trigger an alarm and you are alerted about the same.
Glass Break Detectors
These top-notch detectors make use of sound waves to detect broken glass. Once such an activity is detected, these systems trigger an alarm.
Door and Window Sensors
These sensors are specifically designed to detect the opening of doors and windows installed in your home.
CCTV Systems
These systems not only record the footage, but they also consist of Internet Protocol cameras which transmit video signals over the internet. The related videos can be viewed from a remote location.
Wireless Camera Systems
These systems help transmit video signals wirelessly using radio frequencies or Wi-Fi.
So, as you may know, technology knows no bounds. The increasing security needs of residential and commercial properties are being met through rapid technological inventions. You are recommended to speak to a local locksmith professional in your area to share your requirements. Once they conduct a survey of your house, they may suggest installing any of the above-mentioned systems as per the size of your property. The selection of type of security systems may depend as you may be residing in or maintaining a small home, an apartment, a bungalow, a villa, or a farmhouse.
Concluding Words
There are various methods to enhance the safety of your home, ranging from basic measures like fastening doors and windows to top-notch innovations like installing security cameras, smart locks, voice activated systems etc. You can seek consultation from a residential locksmith specialist to install the best security system aligning with the requirements of your property. Not only locking the doors, but investing in a high-quality system to monitor your property while sitting at a remote location is also strongly recommended. Happy travels!
Related FAQ’s!
Some of the most commonly raised queries related to tightening home security are addressed below for your perusal.
Make sure to invest in a good smart lock system to keep the house protected. Store your valuables in a safe. Lock all doors and windows at all spaces like terrace, basement, garage etc. Suspend newspaper delivery services for some time. Purchase bulbs with timers that light up in the evening giving an illusion that someone is home.
You need to contact a professional locksmith who can study the requirements of your residential property. They may suggest you get a smart lock and a surveillance system installed to elevate the security.
You must be careful about securing the major entry points to your home. Doors being the primary access points need to be thick and of strong material like metal, solid hardwood etc. Thieves can also enter through windows. So, they need to be secured using high-tech locks. You must invest in installing a high-quality deadbolt lock so as to keep your home protected.
Anti-theft systems use infrared sensors (infrared light) which help detect motion or any activity. In case of a motion, the alarm rings. The lights are turned on and an alert is sent to you.
A door security alarm system consists of an alarm sensor which is a magnetic device. Whenever a door is opened or closed, the alarm is triggered, thereby detecting an intrusion in your residential or commercial property.
You need to identify your requirements as per the size of your property. It is best to seek consultation from a locksmith professional who can survey your property and suggest installing the relevant security systems to help protect your home. Smart locks, anti-theft alarm systems, and wireless cameras are some of the major systems being preferred by homeowners these days.
Home security systems send you real-time alerts when an unauthenticated or unauthorized entry attempt is made by an intruder. You can get high-tech door and window sensors installed for elevated security, in consultation with a locksmith specialist.
