You’ve been planning that special vacation for months. You have made the reservations, set your itinerary, and your plane tickets are ready. But before you leave for the airport, take a few simple steps to protect your home from unwanted intruders while you away. Take the following precautions to protect your home, and enjoy peace of mind while on vacation: 1. Stop all mail and newspaper delivery, or ask a neighbor or friend to collect these for you. Nothing says "I'm away" more than a pile of newspapers on your front porch. 2. Hire someone to perform your routine yard work, such as mowing the lawn or raking leaves. 3. Have a friend set out trash on normal garbage pick up days. 4. Let your neighbors know where you can be reached in the event of an emergency. 5. If you have an alarm system, make sure it is in proper working order, and let your alarm company know that you will be away, and for how long. 6. Check any timers you have controlling indoor and outdoor lights. 7. Turn the ringers on your phone off. A phone that rings and rings is another indicator that no one is home. 8. Never program your answering machine to let callers know you are away. 9. Avoid discussing your travel plans in public places. 10. Use luggage tags that can't easily be read. A stranger reading the address may take advantage of the situation. 11. If you leave a car at home, do not store it in the garage. Ask a friend or neighbor to move the car from time to time. 12. Unplug the garage door opener. Many manufacturers use the same frequency and/or combination for every garage door opener they produce. Someone could potentially open your garage door with a remote from the same manufacturer. 13. Try not to turn your air conditioners completely off. On a hot summer day, a silent air conditioner may indicate there is no one home. 14. Leave blinds and shades in their normal positions. 15. If you can afford it, and if you don't want to be a bother to your friends or neighbors, consider hiring a house sitter for the duration of your holiday. 16. Before leaving, do one last walk around the house, ensuring all doors and windows are properly secured. 17. Finally, if you have an alarm system, do not forget to arm it! Following these simple steps will ensure you a worry-free vacation. Don't forget the sun screen!
M Adley has over 10 years experience in the security industry, and is webmaster at Alarm System Reviews.Com. <a target="_new" href="http://www.alarmsystemreviews.com">Home Security System</a>
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