Vacation Safety Tips for Your Home

The commonest of mistakes that people make, when out of their homes, is to leave their house keys under doormats or in the potted plants which hang outside their door. Everyone, including the burglars and thieves "know" such locations and there are high chances of them finding your house keys, if you too do the same! House break-ins occur anywhere, anytime.

Their incidences particularly increase during the holiday time, when families are out on a vacation. That's why, if you are planning a vacation and nobody's going to be there in your house for a long period of time, it is advised that you take certain precautions, to keep your house safe!

# 1: When out on a vacation, be careful as to whom to tell and not tell about your plans. As far as possible, avoid discussing your plans with neighbors, colleagues and other acquaintances whom you do not know that well. Also, do not leave a voice mail message on the phone or keep such a status message on any website which tells others that you are out of town for long. You never know, how this information can be misused by others!

# 2: There are some clues which can give away that you are out on a vacation. For instance, if the newspapers keep on piling at your door or if the grass in your lawn is not mowed for long, someone can conclude that the home owners are away. So, make sure that you take care of all such things, before going out on a vacation.

For stopping the delivery of newspapers, you will have to call up the newspaper circulation department. As for the grass, probably you can ask one of your close friends or immediate neighbors, whom you trust, to get it mowed regularly.

# 3: Lock the doors and windows of your house before you set out on a vacation. Cross check that you have properly closed the garage door and basement windows, as these are usually overlooked. After all, the last thing that you want to do is to give an open invitation to thieves, to enter your house!

# 4: Try to maintain such a look in your house which gives an illusion that somebody is staying in there. For instance, you can ask a friend or a neighbor whom you trust, to park their car, once in a while, in your garage. If you can request them to maintain your outside garden and yard, even better. Set timers on the lights and preferably, on a radio too. The lights will go on and off in various rooms, plus the radio will play sometimes. This will make any possible intruders think that someone is in the house.

# 5: One of the most useful tips is to inform your local police department about the time period you will be away from home. Sometimes, they might keep a check on your house and the neighborhood. This would prevent people who do not reside in the neighborhood, from entering.

# 6: Have your home security system in place. Inform the company that you will be gone and how to contact you, while you are on a vacation, if there is an emergency. Preferably, give a local contact person's name and phone number, in case a mis-eventuality takes place.

# 7: Do not leave cash or jewelry in your home. Deposit it in a bank or keep it in a home safe, before you set out holidaying. Also, the electricity, water and gas supply should be cut off, so as to ensure electrical safety in the home. This will also ensure that there is no fire or flooding in the house, in your absence.

# 8: Leave your emergency contact number with a trusted friend or neighbor. This way, if any untoward incident takes place, you can be informed immediately.

These are some useful safety tips, which will keep your valuables and house secure. If you follow these, you will be able to enjoy your vacation, without a single worry and care, in the world!