Of course, most of us leave our lights on while on vacation. It keeps criminals away while projecting an image that people are living in the house.
As you embark on a memorable journey leaving your ordinary life behind, your house is empty. It is often a target for criminals and burglars.
Coming from your trip abroad can be pretty exciting as you are looking forward to living your life again. Nothing compares to the joy of seeing your home from a month-long vacation and sleep in your bedroom.
But returning from a trip and finding out that something has gone wrong at your home can be devastating. Of course, an empty house is very vulnerable, and it is an open target for criminals. You might want to take the necessary steps to safeguard your home and prevent robbery.
There are preventive measures to take to keep your house safe and your mind peaceful while away. Of course, the first that comes into our mind is leaving the lights open.
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Does leaving lights on deter burglars?
Nowadays, a home invasion happens regularly. You don’t know that your neighbor might be a victim of a robbery, and it can also happen to you. So, it is crucial to always prepare for unintended incidents like this.
Does leaving your lights on deter burglars?
A study says that burglary occurs every 22.6 seconds. Most burglars live just two miles away from the victim, and the chance that you can be the next target is enormous. Leaving your lights on can be a deterrent to prevent burglars from coming to your home.
You must take extra measures, especially when you will have a trip, and leave your house empty for days. Your house is an easy target. Burglars can make a quick grab of your belongings once they found out that no one is at home.
An ideal way to use light to deter burglar is to project an image that someone is home. Here are some ways to use lighting as a burglar deterrent:
Use of indoor lights
Indoor lights are helpful when making an image that someone is at home. Burglars might think that the house is quite busy if lights are set on and off at an average pace. It will make an appearance that lights are being used regularly by an occupant. Leave lights on like how you usually use lights. Setting your glow in the middle of the night may project a message that the owner is away. So, leave lights on during hours which you usually use lights.
Use remote control lights
Technology can be unique. There are smart lights available that you can use while you are away. These lights enable you to turn lights on and off, control usage, even when you are not inside the house. Control the lights at random times and in a different room to create a behavior inside which there are people. Install a video doorbell at your doorstep to make you more at peace even away.
Use of motion-activated lighting
The use of motion-activate lighting outdoor is ideal. These lights detect movements and behavior and are often bright. They are suitable for the outdoor. It can alert our neighbors when someone is at your door. It can detect any suspicious activity that may happen to your home.
Use an alarm system
Like cars, an alarm system can detect any suspicious activity. It is crucial to back up your lights with an alarm system to keep your home safer and secure. Always ensure that your system is on while you are away. It will often deter criminals. They will learn that your house is not an easy target, as your neighbors will notice any menacing behavior. The noise of the alarm system can wake your neighbors to take the necessary actions.
Use your appliances
You can use appliances to set up a controlling system for your home. There are smart plugs available that can ultimately manage your lighting system. You can regularly turn it on and off to send a message that there are people at your home.
Use of high-end security cameras
Sometimes, peace of mind can cost you an amount of money. If you have a budget to make use of high-end cameras, you can install them at home. There are surveillance cameras that have streaming capabilities that send notifications and alerts. You can easily control your lighting system once you are aware of the movement in your home.
Leaving lights, one can be very useful if you supplement it with state of the art technology. The use of advanced equipment will give you peace of mind when you are away.
How do you scare burglars away?
Installing burglary deterrents will keep you at peace even when you are on a long term vacation. It means that your home is safe and guarded day and night. Here are the quick tips which you can use to keep burglars away, especially during travel:
Home Security System
As I mentioned above, lighting and alarm system are crucial in your home security. You can use an alarm and lights to send a message that your house is not an empty space. It will help your neighbors secure your area by alerts and notifications of the alarm.
Smart locks
Locks, nowadays, can best be controlled through smart phones. You will never worry if you leave safety open as you can easily view it on your phone. It is the best way to be in control of your home when you are away.
Smart locks are also an indicator that someone is trying to barge into your house. By getting notifications, you are more aware of what is happening in your home when no one is inside.
Dogs
Dogs are not just lovable, but they are good guards as well. You can scare burglars away when a dog came barking at him. Dogs have an instinct when suspicious behavior is happening around your house. It is helpful to get a dog when you are not home. Do not forget to ask help from your neighbors in keeping your dog well-fed and taken care of.
Front gates
Gates are the right way to keep your house protected even when you are at home. You have to install gates as sturdy as possible. Most burglars will second thought once the house is gated and hard to barge in.
How long can you leave a house empty?
Leaving the house empty depends on whether you own the home or not. Renting a house is a serious matter, and leaving it open without using your mortgage is a waste of money. It is like spending your money for nothing.
Yet, leaving a rented house for one to two months may be tolerable, going it for a year is a wrong financial decision.
There are instances that you cannot avoid leaving your house empty, even if you are renting for it. Whether you are the house owner or you have space through a lease, you need to keep it safe and guarded.
If it takes a while to get back to your house, you need to get help from a friend or neighbor to check it from time to time. If there is no available person to help you out, you have to hire somebody to keep your house in check.
An established communication is crucial to keep you in peace while away. The caretaker can provide you an update on how well your house is. He or she can send you emails and photos of the house. When an unnecessary incident occurs, you will immediately know.
The caretaker will be able to clean your house and ensure that no burglars or robbery is happening. It is better to have peace of mind by hiring a caretaker than leaving your home empty.
Just make sure that you give him or her the guidelines on how to manage your house. It is vital to inform him about how you handle the place to know what to do when things get out of hand.
How do I prepare my house for an extended vacation?
If you cannot avoid leaving your house for a long time, it is necessary to prepare your home for an extended vacation.
After all, you deserve a vacation that is relaxing and worry-free. So, here are some ways to keep your house safe and secure while away:
Thoroughly inspect your house
The initial step to take before leaving your house empty is to inspect your house. It will give you a general overview of the vulnerabilities of your home that can cause accidents.
Always keep your roof in check to keep raindrops from getting in. You never can tell when rain or storm gets through your area, and keeping your roof repaired is necessary.
Second, you should look for any breakage in the plumbing area that can cause leaks inside your house. Even if you turn off the water supply, you will have peace of mind when you know that no leak will happen when away.
Third, always check your smoke detectors. It is crucial to prepare for unintended circumstances like fire. You do not have the power to control what happens while you are away. Keeping your smoke detectors functional is a wise decision.
Fourth, check if there are broken windows and loose doorknobs and locks. An empty house is always vulnerable to criminals. It is necessary to keep your home a hard target when you are away. Broken windows and loose doorknobs will allow robbers to get in quickly. Before vacating the house, make sure these items are functional.
Install alarm system
The alarm system will make your neighbors on alert when you are away. A sound alarm system will notify your neighbors of any suspicious activity. It will scare criminals away and stop them from getting in.
There should be a video camera at your doorstep and a controllable lighting system. These are sample deterrents and will make your house protected.
Clean your house
Clean your house before you leave. Do not leave garbage and dirty dishes that attract insects and cockroaches. A messy house, when left behind, can create unnecessary odor and foul smell. You do not want to deal with these things when you get home.
If possible, put a cover on your furniture to protect them from dust and particles. It will be easier to clean and polish when blankets or sheets defend them.
Next, empty your fridge. It is crucial to check your supply and expiry dates to avoid spoilage. If possible, open your fridge, so you can turn the unit off while you are away. It will give you a sense of security, knowing that no appliances are on during vacation.
Hire a caretaker or ask a neighbor to check your house
Of course, you want an update from time to time about your house. If it is a week-long to two weeks vacation, you can ask a neighbor to check home when they are available.
Knowing that people are keeping a house safe will give you peace of mind and a worry-free vacation. Do not forget to thank them for helping you out.
We all deserve an extended vacation and a break from our routine. Most of the time, we leave our house empty while vacationing. We go on a trip with the family, and no one will take responsibility for keeping the house in check.
So, the quick guidelines above are vital to give you peace of mind and worry-free travel. You can take the necessary measures before your trip. The unintended circumstances are always there. But it is better to manage and prepare your house so that things will not escalate.