Keeping Your Home Safe from a Break-in

If you’re going away on vacation, no doubt you have a lot to consider before getting on the road. You might think that you can simply secure your homes locks and everything will be safe and sound. The only way to successfully avoid a break-in, while away, is to give a little consideration to how you go about securing your home. There are some things you might be doing that could provoke a home break-in. If you have ever proficient a break-in before, it could be very disturbing. It could even rob you of your peace-of-mind. Living without the possibility of a home intrusion is certainly possible if you are proactive and aware of the ways that you could be attracting attention to your home when you’re away.

An intruder is only looking for time and opportunity. They need time to get inside and the opportunity in knowing that you are away from your home. If you’re planning a vacation, this gives an intruder all of the time they’ll need to gain access into your home.  If you’re neighborhood has become the target of intruders, they will generally pay close attention to the coming and going of everyone in the neighborhood. The moment they do not see any activity in or around your home, they may decide that it is time to take the chance of getting in and getting away with whatever they can. They also pick up on patterns and decide when it is a good time to go into your home. When you’re planning your vacation, you should also plan on how you can better protect your home from a burglary.

Ways to Plan Ahead for Your Vacation

While you may not think it is possible to avoid a break-in, we are here to tell you that while you may not be able to avoid it, you have a better chance of doing so by giving heed to our suggestions below.

Install an Alarm

If you already have an alarm, you are to be commended. However, if you have an alarm, remember to set the alarm whenever you are going to be away from home. The alarm will not be of any good to you if it isn’t set. Since so many homeowners now see the value in having an alarm system, there are more on the market today. This means that they are now more affordable than ever. You can select an alarm system that will suit your budget and your needs. A burglar has the skill to gain access into your home. Some people are criminal thieves, which means they are good at what they do. Just locking up and leaving doesn’t seem to be enough to avoid a break-in. The key is to make sure you have one so that you can decrease your chances of experiencing a home invasion by having an alarm installed. When an intruder hears an alarm, they will usually run away because they do not want to risk being caught. If you are serious about protecting your family and valuables, you might want to consider purchasing an alarm with surveillance camera. This way, you  cannot only stop the burglar but you might be able to aid the authorities in catching them. This is a little more costly than just a standard alarm system but some would argue that it is well worth the added protection. Just because you have an alarm doesn’t mean that you still shouldn’t check to make sure all of the windows and doors of your home are locked and secured.

Not Announcing Your Travel Plans

As exciting as it might be to tell others of your plans to travel, we would suggest that you discuss it when you return. You might feel the need to tell others because of your excitement of simply because you want them to help you in your planning. Whatever the reason is, you might end up announcing your plans to the wrong person. When you are in the office, others may hear you discussing your plans with someone else. Be very careful if you decide that you can’t keep it to yourself. Discuss your plans in private so that others are not able to hear your plans.

When you are posting your vacation plans on social media, you may just be giving someone an invitation to come and take what they want. This leaves your home wide open for intruders to break-in while you are away. Announcing your vacation plans on social media means you may be letting a potential intruder know exactly when they can count on your not being home. Thus giving them an open invitation. Don’t tell anyone who doesn’t need to know about your vacation plans. Never discuss your vacation plans on social media. Rather, post anything you want to share about your vacation on social media once you’ve returned home.

Even when you do not announce your plans of being away from home on vacation, you may be doing so without even realizing it. If you are expecting packages to be delivered and they start piling up on your front porch or deck, this may give a burglar the clear indication that no one is home because surely, they wouldn’t leave packages sitting outside this long. You should have the packages delivered to someone else’s home or held until you return. If you are expecting a package and would like for it to be delivered somewhere else, don’t leave a post it note to let the courier service know. It is better to contact the service directly to let them know exactly where you would like the package delivered. A note only lets others know that you are away and this is what you should be trying to avoid.

We know that it is not possible to completely avoid a home intrusion but you don’t have to make it any easier for a thief to gain access into your home. Don’t give them the opportunity of knowing when you plan on being away from home. Heed the above advice and avoid a home break-in.