One of the biggest concerns we all have when we take a trip is that our home is safe and sound while we’re gone. Sometimes its hard not to worry about your home being broken into and your personal possessions being violated while you’re away. But there are several things you can do to not only protect your home but to allow yourself to really enjoy your vacation with a true peace of mind and sense of security.
1. Hiring a house sitter to live in your home while you are away makes it look like you’re still there. Even if someone scoping out your house can tell that its not really you there and just a house sitter, they are still significantly deterred from trying to break and enter. You may think that leaving lights and the TV on and a car in the driveway is enough, but if someone is serious enough about breaking in, they’ll stick around long enough to realize that no one is coming and going. A house sitter will also be able to take care of any chores or other details that need to be taken care of- like feeding pets, walking the dog, letting the repairman in and sticking around while he’s there, taking in the mail, and adjusting the thermostat with changing weather so you’re not wasting money on excessive heating and cooling, or letting your home get too hot or cold by turning the A/C off altogether.
2. Install video surveillance cameras with an advanced home security system to really know what’s going on inside of your home. Your house sitter will have to leave eventually, and having a good home security system and video surveillance will keep your house protected even when no one is there and you’re not in town. And not that anyone would ever hire a house sitter that they didn’t trust, but naturally people will hire younger college kids or single friends who don’t have families of their own to take care of, and sometimes young singles will want to mingle at night when they are supposed to be watching your house, and will have friends over. Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean that anyone suspicious or untrustworthy will be in your home, but if you have a home security camera installed at your front door, you’ll know who is coming and going, as well as who is knocking at the front door while you’re gone. In the worst case scenario, if your home is broken into while you’re away, then you’ll have a better chance at catching the criminal if its on tape! And you can even access your home security cameras from your smart phone or laptop, just to double check while you’re gone if you need to.
So when you’re planning that great get-a-way to relax and rejuvenate, keep in mind home safety concerns and really enjoy your vacation!
