How to Secure your Home for Summer Vacation

Summer vacation is a time to get out of the house, let go and just have some fun. To help give yourself peace of mind and ensure you can concentrate on simply having fun this summer make sure before heading out that you have left your home safe and secure.

Here are some steps to take to make sure that your home is as ready for your get away as you are.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Trim back any overgrown bushes or trees around the house that may provide an easy hide out for burglars.

2. Employ a friend or trusted company to care for your lawn when you are away on vacation this summer. If your lawn is well cared for and groomed it will give the appearance that someone is home.

3. Install night time lights in areas such as front and back doorways and the sides of the house to keep help keep your home secure. Eliminating dark areas around your home can deter unwanted visitors.

4. Have your mail held at the post office for the duration of your summer vacation and put a temporary hold on your newspaper delivery. You can also ask a friend to pick these items up for you daily and hold them until you get back.
   
   This helps prevent passersby from figuring out that no one is home when they see a stack of unkempt mail and newspapers.

5. Check all the locks on your doors and windows to make sure they are working correctly and replace any that do not look secure or work properly before leaving for your summer trip -- Don't forget the garage doors and windows too.
   
   For sliding doors and windows you can better secure them by placing a stick or security latch on the tracks that prevent them from opening.
   
   Be sure you always double check to make sure all doors and windows are locked securely before heading out.

6. Close your blinds and curtains and add curtains or blinds to any windows and glass doors that are sitting uncovered.
   
   You don't want people on the outside to be able to see into your home and discover that you are not there so creating this block will provide better security for your home.

7. Unplug all electronics before heading out and you may even want to flip off the breakers to areas of the house where you will not be keeping a light on. This can protect your home from potential electrical shorts and fires while you are away on vacation.

Resources

• eHow Home and Garden Topic Guide

[xrayness]

on 6/18/2009 Good article