Is Your Home Vacation-Ready?
Even though the world has gone into lockdown, more and more people are planning their future holidays to stay sane. Many find that thinking about their lives post-pandemic gives them the mental strength they need during those difficult times. And it’s easy to understand why: Planning for vacations can be hugely fun!
In fact, it’s fair to say that you’ve probably been giving your next getaway some thoughts. Perhaps you’ve already decided on an itinerary, or you’ve been preparing your holiday budget. There’s nothing wrong with thinking about your next destination post-pandemic. However, you are probably not the only person planning a big trip as soon as it’s safe to travel again. Therefore, you need to make sure your home is equipped to deter burglars because criminals are waiting for you and everyone to leave their homes.
Burglars can get easy access through openings
You can’t afford to ignore the safety of your windows and doors. You may believe that postponing your windows replacement until after your holiday is a good idea. But, in reality, it’s an open invitation to burglars to help themselves out. Before you plan to go away for a while, you need to make sure nobody can gain access to your belongings. Weak door handles, old window frames, and ineffective locks are the main causes of burglary.
Don’t let anything suspicious activities go unnoticed
Criminals have a simple technique to find out if a house is empty. They ring the doorbell. If someone answers the door, they’ll pretend they have door-to-door representatives or ask if you’ve received a parcel for them. However, if nobody answers, they make a note to come back later to access the house. Smart technology, nowadays, can let you interact with the people at your front door even when you’re not at home. Smart video doorbells, for instance, can send a notification to your phone in real-time, and connect to the live video. You can deter people by appearing to be at home.
Inform the neighbors
Your neighbors are your best allies in the war against burglars. Indeed, in a close community, people can look out for each other. Letting your neighbors know when you’re away on holiday can ensure that every suspicious activity will be reported to the authorities. Similarly, you can provide the same service when your neighbors go on vacation. Ideally, you want to establish a trust relationship with them before you book your trip away! Another essential thing to remember: While neighbors don’t explicitly ask for payment for their help, bringing them a nice present from your vacation is a lovely gesture.
Trick people into thinking you’re home
The smart doorbell can only do so much to trick burglars into thinking you’re home. When there’s no light in your home at night, and you still answer the doorbell, criminals may come to realize that you’re not at home. As such, they can still mark your house as a target. However, you can make the trick work by adding timed light switches to your interior decor. You can program these to turn on the lights at different times of the day and night, which would complete the illusion that you’re at home.
In short, if you’re planning your post-pandemic break, do take the time to protect your home against criminal invasions. You don’t need to invest in expensive security solutions. However, smart thinking and helpful neighbors can go a long way in keeping your house safe!