Ensure Your Home is Safe When You Travel

One of the biggest concerns of many travelers’ is ensuring their home will be safe while they’re off seeing the world. It’s a valid fear seeing as how a burglary occurs every 15 seconds in the United States, more than 70 percent of them when no one is home. If you want to keep your belongings where they belong next time you go globetrotting, be sure to follow these tips.

Get a Security System

Research shows 90 percent of convicted burglars say they purposely avoided homes that had security systems. It’s time to get cracking on that alarm system. They even offer systems now that can be controlled and monitored from your phone or computer.

Leave a Light On

Burglars are less likely to enter a home when it looks like someone is there. Leave a light or two on in your home to fool potential crooks. It might hurt your electric bill, but that added sense of security is worth a few extra bucks, right?

Recruit the Neighbors

If you’ve never gotten on well with the locals in your neighborhood, now might be the time to mend some fences. Make friends with your neighbors and let them know when you’ll be out of town so they can keep a closer eye on your home. They’ll be able to report any suspicious activity.

Let the Local Police Know You’re Gone

This might not work if you live in a big city, but smaller towns typically have a close-knit community where everyone knows your name. If you’re in one of those areas, it might be good to let the local cops know you’re gone. That way they can pass by your house and take note of anything that might seem off.

Replace Your Windows

It’s difficult for burglars to get through the door these days with the high tech locks most people have going on, so the window is an easier target. Consider replacing first-floor windows with unbreakable glass. If they have no way in, they can’t take your stuff out.