The holiday season is all about spending time with loved ones, and for many, this means traveling. There are certain precautions you should take whenever you leave your home for more than a few days, but the holidays specifically tend to lead to an increase in home break-ins and stolen packages. And beyond theft – empty homes are more vulnerable to household calamities like frozen pipes and leaking sinks.
But with the proper preparation, you will be able to enjoy your holiday travels with better piece of mind, leaving you to only fret about the presents you’ve yet to wrap. Protect your property with some of these simple steps:
Install some home security
There are many things on the market – such as video doorbells and video cameras – that can help you keep a watchful eye on your home. But nothing compares to the full protection of a home security system, which will help to keep you and your family safe. It’s the perfect holiday gift to your family as well – so reach out to your trusted home security firm today for an estimate.
Have a lookout
Ask around to see if a neighbor or friend is staying in town for the holidays and find someone who would be willing to keep tabs on things for you. If they’re willing, have them do things like bring in your mail or park a car in your driveway to make it look like someone is home. If nothing else, have your neighbor or friend simply drive by your property each day to make sure nothing looks out of the ordinary and that there’s nothing that needs immediate attention.
If you don’t have anyone available, you can even enlist the help of a home watch service, which can provide these services, along with others such as inspecting the house for damage. Just make sure whoever is looking out for you has a copy of your contact info and itinerary.
Time your lights
Leaving a few lights on while you’re away to make it look like someone is home is usually a good idea, but if you leave the lights on throughout your entire vacation, your electric bill will be an unwelcome surprise, and potential thieves would notice the constant light. Instead, purchase an automatic timer that’ll turn the lights in your home on and off according to a programmed schedule.
Protect your pipes
If you live in a cold climate, you need to prevent your pipes from freezing while you’re away. Make sure your pipes are properly insulated and leave the heat on low to prevent pipes from freezing. If you’ve recruited a friend or neighbor to keep an eye on things, have them turn on the faucet every couple of days.
Reach out to your local home security firm and see what kind of options they have to protect your home. The holidays are a time to celebrate and relax with loved ones, so don’t spend the season worrying about your home. By taking some simple precautions you can spend your holiday season focusing on what really matters.
