10 Things to do to Protect Yourself Before Travelling
In order to have a good feeling about going on trip before you travelling it is a must to have your ducks lined up. You want to leave your possessions and home behind knowing that they are safe. This must-read guide will keep your stuff safe!
1. Get a Home Monitoring System
A home monitoring system is an absolute must! Technology is now available to see you what’s going on from anywhere in the world. Ring doorbells are great, but they are sometimes unreliable and do not have the capability to zoom or have massive distortion. Shop Smart-Tel’s advance product line to get the best of the best. Click here to see what we offer!
2. Keep up on Regular Home Maintenance Before You Leave
It would be extremely beneficial to mow your lawn and prune your bushes before leaving. Hiring a gardener or a neighbor’s kid for those longer trips is also a great idea. Make sure that someone is also collecting your newspapers if you receive them. Lingering newspapers is a strong indicator that your home is alone. You can also call the newspaper company to put a hold on your drop-off’s if needed.
3. Have a Friend or Family Member Stop by Periodically
Sometimes you cannot predict what can happen while you’re gone. Having someone close by to check on your property is very wise. You can also leave that person a spare key. They can pick up your newspapers or any packages that may have arrived while you are gone. This will give you a nice peace of mind while you are gone. Do not forget to compensate them for their time!
4. Keep a Low Profile on Social Media
This one might be hard for most since we live in a digitally social world these days, however it can prevent a break-in from happening. Letting people know that you are away leaves opportunity for burglars. If you do feel the need to broadcast your whereabouts then we highly suggest investing in a high-end alarm monitoring system, which can be purchased and installed through our website.
5. Lock up valuables in a safe.
Typically, thieves run straight to the bedroom first to scan for valuables. Investing into a small safe may protect your most cherished items. If you are strapped for cash, you can also hide items in places where you wouldn’t think to look like a bathroom closet or kitchen pantry. There are also dummy items found online that you can hide valuables in such as foax plants and cleaning containers.
6. Don’t Leave a Hide-a-key
The days of leaving a key under the mat are long gone. Thieves are good at finding those spots where keys are often hidden. This is where leaving a key with a trusted friend or family member come into play.
7. Install an Outdoor Sensor Light
It’s simple install for those of you who aren’t tech-savvy, and you can pick one up on Amazon for less than $20. Motion-sensor flood lights can also prove to be useful year-round for general home security whether you’re home or not, and often are equipped with technology to have them turn off and on at certain times of the day. It is also advisable to install glass break sensors in your home. Those can be found here.
STC also highly recommends setting up a few timers for your indoor lights. Giving the impression that someone is home every night could deter those unwanted guests.
8. Disconnect Your Garage Door
It’s no secret that technology can be easily hacked, especially by more experienced or motivated criminals. Garage door openers (depending on what brand they are) can sometimes be opened by universal remotes, so be proactive! Disengage your garage door opener and opt for a manual lock.
9. Leave a Car in the Driveway
Former burglars have reported that a vehicle in the driveway is a major deterrent in scoping out potential targets, because it almost always means that someone is home. Leave your (locked) car where people can see it, or see if a neighbor wants to park there.
10. Prevent Water Damage
Some experts recommend turning off the house’s main water supply valve to prevent possible water damage from leaky pipes. This is a viable option if you live in a moderate climate and the house will be empty, but if you live in a cold area, or someone will be checking in while you’re gone, you probably want to leave the water on.
Now you're ready to go travel with peace of mind.Go and have a great trip!
