So You're Going on Vacation...
It's the beginning of the season for family activities such as a trip to the beach or mountains. While this is a fun time, remember to take a few minutes to secure your home before you leave.
Securing your home—whether you're away for just a few minutes, or on vacation—could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in uninsured losses and countless hours of aggravation.
Light, time, and noise are a homeowner's greatest weapons in the fight to prevent a home burglary, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
The Burglary Prevention Council and Insurance Information Institute offers these specific tips to follow before you go on vacation:
Examine your house from the street and make sure no valuables, like expensive electronics or artwork, are visible from the street. If a passerby can see your belongings, so can criminals.
Lock and fasten all doors and windows. Doors should have deadbolt locks with a one-inch throw and reinforced strike plate.
Secure sliding glass doors. Place a metal rod or piece of wood in the track to prevent an intruder from forcing the door open.
Always lock the door to your attached garage.
Make it appear that you're home - use timers on lights, radios, and televisions.
Keep the perimeter of your home well lighted. You can do this by installing low-voltage outdoor lighting or solar lighting. Motion lights are also a great idea.
Never leave clues that you are away. Ask a neighbor to collect your mail and newspapers—or ask for them to be held. You may also want to ask a neighbor to park in your driveway so it appears someone is home.
Trim the shrubbery near your home's entrance and walkway. This prevents a would-be burglar from hiding in tall, bushy foliage.
Organize or join a community watch program to protect your neighborhood.
And, of course, if you have a home security system, make sure it is activated when you leave. The more difficult you make it for the intruder, the less likely he or she will be to pursue forcing their way into your home.
In fact, the Insurance Information Institute says that if it takes a burglar more than four or five minutes to break into your home, they'll move on to the next one.
If you have any specific concerns, you can call the local police or sheriff’s office for more advice. They have excellent prevention programs available to help homeowners evaluate their home security.
These suggestions are not new to most of you, but we tend to forget about the little details in the rush to get packed and on our way. Taking a few minutes to prepare before you leave will give you peace of mind and let you enjoy on your vacation more.
As always if I can answer any questions about Real Estate, please give me a call.
E. Wayne Wiggins
Licensed Real Estate Broker
Plant City Realty, Inc
(813) 763-0200 cell
(813)764-0840 office