• Make sure to hold the mail and newspaper. If you can't have someone pick it up every day, it's a sure giveaway that nobody's home and can be a green light for burglars.
  • If possible, leave a key with someone you trust, preferably a neighbor and have them keep an eye on your home while you're gone. Make sure to offer returning the favor and thank them with a gift when you return.
  • Unplug all electronics that don't need to be used like the television, coffee maker, and home computers.
  • Lower the temperature on your water heater.
  • If you can, leave a car in the driveway and use timers to turn on outdoor and indoor lights to give the impression that someone is home. Leaving the porch light on the entire time you're gone is a bad idea. If you don't have a timed light, you can leave an interior light on for the duration of your trip as long as you can't easily notice it during the day.
  • As excited as you may be to go on vacation, avoid advertising it over Facebook and Twitter. Also, keep this in mind while posting updates from your cell phone on vacation.
  • If you have access to one, place all your valuables in a safe or safe deposit box.
  • Remember, if your house is on the market, you can ask your REALTOR® to stop by and check in. While you're on vacation, it's a great time for showings because you won't have schedule conflicts.


 

 
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9 Comments on Some helpful tips to protect your home while on vacation

SEP
15
2011

Good advice guys, If I may I would like to use some of this information on my own blogs and facebook page.
1:49pm • #1
122,884 Points

Ralph,

Good tips!

I particularly like the one about not advertising your trip on FB.

I would add that if you have family or a close friend nearby, have them stop by to check on your home.

Bill MacBride
1:49pm • #2
169,865 Points Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

These are some very good tips that you posted.   With us living in a social world with facebook that is a great suggestion to keep from posting that you will be gone.  I never would have thought of that one.  I personally was robbed many years ago while on vacation and that was the worst thing I ever experienced. 
1:52pm • #3
942,700 Points 95 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

These are good suggestions. Funny thing is that my hubby hates when we leave the car in the drivewal--even when we are home.
5:09pm • #4
538,567 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Ralph,

Great tips.  I would also add to list for Realtors, be sure to take vacations so you can follow Ralph's tips...g
7:44pm • #5
274,932 Points 5 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Great post with great tips.  Thanks for sharing it Ralph, because some of them I had never thought of!
8:06pm • #6
587,113 Points 46 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Ralph -

Great tips in fact great list of must do's!  We have a circle of neighbors that do exactly as you posted.  We watch out for each other, take care of each others pets, mail, trash, lights etc.  So far so good.  One can never be careful enough these days.  Even in a so called "good neighborhood",

Regards from the Q
11:36pm • #7
548,645 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Great tips Ralph, and timely as many start thinking of migrating south for the winter...
11:57pm • #8
SEP
17
2011
780,958 Points 97 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

These are some great tips Ralph. I will have to pass these on to some friends that need to work on some of these tips.
12:42am • #9

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