Planning a summer getaway? Unfortunately, residential burglaries are at their highest
during the summer months, often when homeowners are away on a well-deserved
vacation. Yet, simple considerations oftentimes profoundly enhance a home’s security
and homeowners are encouraged to take precautions, safeguarding their homes from
would-be thieves before leaving town.
It goes without saying, homeowners should diligently attend to locking up their homes,
when leaving, as a well-secured home typically discourages burglars. However, some
neglect locking doors and windows, or worse yet, they forget to remove hidden spare
keys. Those not-so-secret places, under the doormat, beneath the fake rock or inside the
flower pot, are common places many thieves explore when seeking access to a home.
Most homes afford multiple entry points and burglars are resourceful when it comes to
finding ways to enter. Successfully deterring their efforts comes from an elimination of
opportunities to gain access. Enhancing a home’s physical and visual security can
quickly reduce the odds a home is targeted.
The appearance of an occupied home is often the best deterrent; however, homeowners
sometimes overlook subtle visual ques communicating they’ve left town. Temporarily
halting newspaper deliveries and the mail service, and seeing to the maintenance of the
lawn and landscape, are important steps in reducing the chance a burglar will target the
home.
Thieves are often inclined to scout a residence before attempting to break in, seeking out
items of interest. Homeowners should remove obvious temptations, such as computers,
electronics, jewelry, and family heirlooms; placing them out-of-sight or in a secure area.
Purchasing a fireproof safe can also prove to be a proactive means of protecting
valuables.
Garages are among those entry points oftentimes forgotten. Whether accessing a garage
using a universal remote, or breaking into a vehicle and opening the garage door using an
opener, the potential for access to the home from the garage is an ever-present risk.
Locking the garage door before going on vacation is extremely important. When
necessary, securing c-clamps to the door’s tracks, to obstruct the rollers, can further deter
unwelcome visitors.
As a point of consideration, there are differing views on whether or not it’s advisable to
draw curtains or close blinds; oftentimes it’s a matter of personal preference. Although
closed curtains and blinds inhibit strangers from looking inside, such actions also prevent
neighbors from identifying emergencies. Sometimes not making changes to established
routines is best.
When utilized, the integration of timed lighting and motion sensors can be effective
deterrents. But, timed lighting shouldn’t be programmatically set to perpetually turn on
and off at the same time each day, nor should a light constantly remain on as both are
indicative of a home’s vacancy. Burglars hate light and both motion sensors and varied
lighting schedules have the power to discourage their attempts. In connection, many
times timed technologies can also be applied to radios or televisions, further providing
the illusion, someone is home.
Albeit a somewhat expensive measure, the installation of a home security system is a
highly effective means of protection. Most systems strategically interface with sensors
throughout the home while providing video surveillance. When an alarm is triggered,
notification is provided to the homeowner and law enforcement and a burglar’s attempts,
are often thwarted before serious problems occur. The benefits of purchasing a security
system are often two-fold, as homeowners also commonly receive access to other
emergency services.
The application of today’s technological advancements, afford homeowners opportunities
to remotely check-in and monitor their homes. But, homeowners are still encouraged to
inform a neighbor, family member or trusted friend when they plan to be out of town.
Having someone keep a watchful eye and attend to weekly trash pickups, handle
unexpected deliveries and remove solicitations, are important steps to ensuring the home
appears occupied.
While it’s natural to want to share vacation experiences with family and friends,
homeowners must be mindful of what they post online. Announcing vacation plans and
posting images oftentimes invites trouble. The perceived anonymity afforded by the
internet, can lure people into a false sense of security when sharing personal information.
Homeowners are best served in waiting until their vacation has concluded, before posting
anything that indicates they’re away from home. In this day-and-age, internet safety is of
monumental importance; yet, many would-be burglars learn about potential victims from
trolling social media.
Should a break in occur, immediately knowing what was taken is vitally important.
Creating a home inventory checklist, focused on items of value is highly recommended.
Although it may take time to prepare a comprehensive itemized list, subsequent updates
are easier once the list has been created. In the event a homeowner must file a claim with
their insurance carrier, a detailed inventory proves invaluable. Taking photographs and
recording serial numbers of documented items are also important complementary efforts.
Returning from a memorable vacation to learn something has gone awry can be
traumatic. When you consider most burglaries are spur of the moment decisions, sought
by opportunists who view an unlocked door or open window as an invitation to invade,
homeowners are encouraged to pay close attention to their home’s security needs. Being
proactive affords homeowners a chance to safeguard their residences so they can enjoy
some much-needed rest.
Written by Sean and Aimee McDonald