Vacations are times for families to relax and spend time together away from home. To make the most of your vacation, be sure to protect your home before you leave. When you take these steps to keep your home safe, you’ll be able to enjoy your vacation to its fullest.

How to Keep Your Home Safe on Vacation

1. Lock Your Doors and Windows to Keep Your Home Safe

The first step to keep your home safe on vacation is to make sure your home is locked up. Since burglars prefer to enter through an unlocked access point, the simple act of locking your doors and windows will help protect your home from an intrusion.

2. Keep the Mailbox Empty

Mail piling up in your mailbox is a sign that you’re away from your home. Ask a neighbor to collect your mail for you or make arrangements with USPS to hold all of your mail until you return.

3. Set Lights on a Timer to Keep Your Home Safe

Another way to keep your home safe while on vacation is to leave your lights on. You can program lights inside and outside of your home to come on at different times using smart technology. Anyone who’s watching your home will be tricked into thinking that someone is inside. Set up motion detector lights too. These lights often scare off burglars when they suddenly turn on.

4. Keep Your Yard Maintained

If you’re planning to go on vacation for more than a week or two, schedule a landscaping service while you’re away. If you’re headed somewhere during the winter months, arrange for snow removal if necessary. A driveway and walkway that is covered in snow send a signal that no one is at home.

5. Leave Your Car in Your Driveway

A driveway sitting empty for weeks is a clear sign that you’re not home, making your house a target for watchful criminals. Because of this, it’s good to keep at least one car parked in the driveway. Another way to make your home look lived-in is to ask a neighbor to park in your driveway or move your car every few days. With cars coming and going from your home, your house will appear occupied.

6. Hide Your Valuables

Before you go on vacation, lock up your valuables. Expensive items that are visible from the outside can make your house a target. Secure all of your small valuables in a safe before your trip. Items like your social security card, expensive jewelry, and sensitive documents should all be locked up. Make sure that large valuable items can’t be seen from the road, even if it means just closing the drapes.

Don’t leave your house unprotected the next time you go on vacation. With these five tips, you’ll be able to protect your home and belongings no matter where you are.

Quality Check Home Inspections provides inspection services to the Eugene/Springfield area and the Oregon Coast. Contact us to schedule our services.