Securing Your Home While on Vacation

Many Americans take a vacation during the summer, heading out of town, often a few hundred miles away — or sometimes farther afield.

While you are enjoying your time away, your home will likely be sitting empty, and that could be a prime target for thieves. But there are precautions you can take to thwart would-be robbers from breaking into your residence and making off with your valuables.

Invest in a home security system

A home security system is probably the best way to protect your home, aside from having someone stay there while you are gone. There are a number of systems and services on the market, so you should take your time to figure out which one best suits your needs and budget.

Keep quiet about your plans

While you may find it hard to resist the urge to post on social media that you are heading off on an exotic holiday, you should not announce your plans.

Refrain from providing daily updates and selfies of your adventures until you return. Remind your children to also refrain from posting their activity on social media.

While you likely don't have to worry about your friends and family robbing your home, criminals online may lurk among your friends' contacts.

Moreover, don't tell people on your phone voicemail that you'll be away.

Make a home look lived in

You can make your home look like it's occupied by:

• Installing timer switches on a few lights and even your TV so they turn on and off at certain times.

• If you park your car outside your home, ask a neighbor or friend to periodically back it out and park it differently to make it seem like someone has driven it.

• If there's a swimming pool, keep the water circulating.

• Don't cancel your lawn service, and make sure to keep your automatic sprinklers running on their timers.

• Ask the post office to put a hold on mail delivery and do the same with a newspaper if you have home delivery.

Batten the hatches and have additional security measures

• Make sure all windows and doors are secured with locks.

• Put in a secondary blocking device on sliding doors and windows so they can't be opened if a burglar successfully unlocks them.

• Install exterior security lights with motion sensors that turn on when someone approaches the house.

• If you have a security system in place, call the security company to let them know you'll be gone.

Going the extra mile

If you want to go even further in protecting your home, you can:

• Disconnect the garage door opener and lock it manually.

• Move valuables like expensive jewelry to your bank safe deposit box or a home safe.

• Move any valuable furnishings out of sight from anyone peering through your windows.