When you’re a busy person running a business from home, it can be hard to switch off and take time out. But after the past year that we have all had, taking a vacation can be just what is needed. There can be so much to think about and plan for when it comes to taking a vacation, especially at the moment with tests and vaccine certificates to arrange. But if you want to go away on a vacation and have complete peace of mind that your home, and consequently your business, are safe and looked after, then there are some extra steps that you need to take. It can sound like a lot, but honestly, when you’re actually away, it will all be worth it, am I right?
Securing your home in the right way before you go away means you can enjoy your time away. All it takes is a little know-how and a little planning. Following these home security tips when you are away, will help to ensure that you won’t have any nasty surprises when you come back that can be costly and unpleasant.
Clear out your mailbox
If there is mail piling up then it is a massive sign to a would-be burglar that no one is home. Start off with an empty mailbox and then it is wise to get a friend or a trusted neighbor to come and collect your mail each day to make sure that it is out of sight. When you work from home, you’re likely to have more mail than your average person, as there can be work letters, bills, and parcels that arrive as well as regular mail. You don’t want this to pile up, so it is important to do something about it.
If you aren’t able to arrange this mail collection with a neighbor or friend, then it could be a good idea to put a temporary mail request on hold or to arrange a mail forwarding through. This is simple and easy, and could be wise if you’re only going to be gone for a little while.
Make sure that the yard is maintained
Unless you have a yard area that is very low-maintenance to look after, then the lawn will need to have some care before you go away. If you leave the grass uncut before you go, and you’re away for two weeks, for example, it can be very obvious that no one is home as it will grow and grow quickly in the summer months. If you have a gardener or landscaper, then have them continue to come when you are away. You could always ask a friend or neighbor to mow your lawn for you if you are going to be gone for a couple of weeks or more.
Check on your home security system
It can be surprising just how many people don’t have any home security in place. Having home security systems in place can be a big deterrent for any thieves, as you can see a physical alarm on the side of the building, and there will be a physical alarm that goes off if they were to break through a window or door. If you don’t have this in place, then you really need to. If you do, then you need to check it is working, or getting a more up-to-date model. Some models can call the police directly for you if the alarm goes off, so it is definitely worth thinking about.
Another consideration is to think about other alarm systems in the home. This could be a fire and smoke alarm, as well as other alarms that are going to be there to keep your home as safe and secure as possible.
Hide or lock up valuables
If there are items in the home that are expensive, and that are easy to grab, such as a laptop or an iPad, then those are the kinds of items that really appeal to criminals. There may be some items that you are taking with you, such as phones, tablets, and cameras, but working from home could mean there are a number of items left at home, from inventory to computers and laptops. It is so important to hide or conceal these items in the home, as well as other items that could be found in the garage, for example. Bikes and skis are valuable and easy to grab, even if you might not have thought about making them secure.
Having a safe in the house is a good idea, as it is something that is secure and safe, but would be hard for someone to break into or remove. Another point to note is that thieves don’t often care what they steal, so you may be hiding jewelry but leaving important documents out. They’d be happy to steal your identity, so think about having bank statements, social security cards, and other kinds of ID locked up or hidden somewhere, so that they can’t be stolen either.
Take steps to prevent water damage
There are some people that recommend turning off the main water supply to the home, in order to prevent any potential water damage for leaking pipes. If you live in a home with a moderate climate, then this could be a good solution. If where you live doesn’t get very warm in summer, or you’re going to have someone coming into the home to water plants or feed a cat, then it can be best to leave the water on.
Adjust your thermostat
If you live in a place that gets very warm in the summer, then it could be worth looking at having your HVAC system working for a little bit, even when you are away. If your home overheats, or you’re leaving a pet at home, for example, then it will be very uncomfortable for them if the home gets too hot. So it is wise to check on your thermostat and adjust as required.
Kori
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