Being a homeowner is tough when the family returns home from a lengthy trip to find their house has been ransacked or a pipe has burst. We’ve all heard horror stories. These kinds of issues may set you back hundreds of dollars, and they’re also a huge source of anxiety.
The good news is that you and your family may take various precautions to keep your information safe while on vacation. Before you leave town, make sure your home is safe and secure with these pointers we’ve prepared for you. Adopting these measures now will save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
Install a Smart Lock on Your Door
You may open your smart barn door hardware lock and allow temporary access using expiring codes by using your smartphone. If you have a friend or a pet sitter checking in on your property while you’re away, you can maintain tabs on who comes and leaves from your home and revoke access when you return.
Now you don’t have to worry about keeping a record of who has your extra keys since you have complete control over who has and doesn’t. We suggest the August Smart Lock if you’re looking for a lock that doesn’t require any physical keys.
Get a Home Security System That Is Monitored by a Professional
A home security system with door and window sensors is your first line of defense versus burglary. However, warnings on your phone are of little use if you’re leaving the nation or heading to an area with a spotty data network connection. Alarm companies notify authorities on your behalf if an intruder breaches your house.
Ensure Environmental Sensors Are Included in the System
Modern security systems allow monitoring not whenever anybody enters your house but also against environmental elements that may harm your property. Whether there is a change in moisture levels in the air, flood sensors can tell you if there are broken pipes or appliances. Alarms for fires and hazardous gases are now included in many security systems, or at the very least work in conjunction with them.
A Smart Thermostat or Programmable Thermostat Is a Must-Have
You don’t want to turn off your air conditioning or heating completely when you’re away, but you also don’t want to leave your house in an uncomfortably warm or chilly state.
When you’re at home, it’s a good idea to go your thermostat four degrees higher or lower than average. To avoid frozen pipes in the winter, this temperature should never drop below 50 °F. Programmable thermostats allow you to set a timer so that your house will be restored to a reasonable temperature when you return from your day out.
Better still, invest in a smart thermostat that allows you to monitor the temperature in your house from afar and adjust accordingly. Our top pick is the Nest Intelligent Thermostat because it remembers your temperature preferences, employs geofencing, and is interoperable with Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Our preferred intelligent thermostats can be seen in the table below, as well as the home automation brands you can link them with.
Stay Away From the Public Eye If Traveling
Keep your phone, email, and social media accounts clear of any messages suggesting that you’re out of town. Despite the temptation, you should wait to share your vacation images online until after you come home. If you can’t help yourself, restrict who may see your postings to only your closest pals and avoid mentioning when you’ll be away. Be sure to leave your typical message on your answering machine or voicemail, and leave your auto-reply message on your personal or professional email unclear.
Install Security Lights On Your Property’s Outside
Burglars are more inclined to choose locations that are dark and out of the view of their neighbors while searching for a way into a home. Installing outside security lights in high-crime areas like the back entrance or the house’s sidewalls can help spotlight these potential hiding places. You don’t have to worry about wasting a lot of electricity because most models are motion actuated or only turn on at night.
Clean the Doormat of Extra Keys That May Be Hiding There
It’s never a good idea to leave spare keys outside your home, but if you’re going on vacation, now is the time to grab them all. Your secret lairs aren’t quite as ingenious as you think they are.
