If you’re ready to explore some warmer weather during the cold of a Chicago winter, then knowing how to secure your home before going on vacation will protect your property and assets.
Your Chicago locksmith can start this process for you by inspecting all of your current locks and security devices. Make sure that each of them is performing as it should to prevent unauthorized entry while you are away.
Then you will want to follow these steps to ensure that your home’s protection systems will keep your property safe.
Steps to Follow When Securing Your House
1. Make sure that you have a home monitoring system that will keep track of data points, like your front door opening or a motion detector activating. A live video feed from this system that goes to an app on your phone can help you check on your property in real-time as well. This investment will offer you significant peace when traveling.
2. Have someone keep up your regular home maintenance while you’re on vacation. If someone comes to care for your lawn, garden, or pool, then keep to this schedule. Making a sudden change is a clear indication to a thief that you are no longer home.
3. Give a spare key to someone you trust: a friend, family member, or neighbor are all good options. They can stop by to inspect your property, hang out there for a while to indicate occupation, and remove any newspapers, mail, or deliveries that may come while you’re gone. They can take care of watering your plants or feeding your pets too. Remember to bring back something nice for their efforts!
4. Contact the U.S. Postal Service to hold your mail while you are on vacation. Most newspaper companies will hold deliveries while you’re gone as well.
5. Don’t post pictures of your vacation until after you return home. If you are showing off the excellent time you are having, then someone with ill intent could see these images and know that your property is currently vacant. Make sure that no one can access your address or personal information through social media either. Delete any posts that might contain this information before leaving.
6. Lock up anything that is valuable in a safe, then bolt it to a wall or the floor to ensure it won’t be carried away.
7. If you keep a hidden key somewhere on your property to guard against a lockout, then remove this option before leaving on vacation. Thieves will always check for one if they’re thinking about breaking into your home.
Protecting Your Property Better Starts with This Step
If you are concerned about your home’s security and you have a vacation planned, then Panda Locksmith is here to help.
Our team can show you the best locking solutions for your doors and windows, provide information about whole-house security systems, and help you add strength to any weak points that are on your property.
Vacations should be lots of fun. When you know your home is properly protected, it can give you the peace of mind that you need.