Car and kids are packed. Directions printed. Dog’s at the kennel. Vacation fun awaits you.
As you pull away from the house you run through your checklist one last time. All seems in order. Or, if you’re like me, you’ll obsess about it for a bit wondering what you forgot until something else occupies that harried space in your brain.
Have you made these considerations for home safety while away?
- Hush! No need to alert your entire Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest community that you’ve just pulled out of your driveway for an exciting 2 week Disney adventure. FourSquare check-ins at every rest stop. Also unnecessary. Publish your fun after the fact in order to eliminate risks for yourself.
- Safe House “Keeper”. No, not that kind of house keeper. Find a trusted neighbor, relative or friend who can hold an extra key, water flowers, pick up newspapers and just generally check-in every now and then. And bring all those outdoor spare keys in.
- Light it. Alarm it. Those automatic timers really work. Grab one and connect it to some lighting that’s obvious from the street and sends a sign that someone’s home. If you have a home security system in place, those little lawn signs are effective for letting others know you’re serious about your security.
- Mail pickup. While it’s a nice option to have the Post Office hold your mail, again, it’s just another indication that you won’t be around for a while. Let your designated house “keeper” grab your mail too and keep it safe for you until you arrive back home.
- Trim before the trip. Nothing says “We’re not home” better than an unruly lawn and landscaping. Consider tidying up the outside of your home before you head out.
- Unplug. You won’t be brewing coffee while away, right? Disconnect all unnecessary appliances like TVs, computers, coffee makers just in case there’s a storm and power surge.
If you have serious concerns about the safety of your home while away, you can grab web cameras for under $100 each and view areas of your home right from your iPhone or iPad. Of course, you’ll have to take your eyes off your kids at the pool for this.
For more real estate and community info, connect with me at www.facebook.com/njrealtorjodi and www.facebook.com/365thingswestfield.
If you're on vacation don't "check in" to Facebook or Foursquare or another location based service. Why tell the world your house is empty. Always be mindful of the details you're giving out online. If you're Tweeting or Facebooking that you're out of town, you may as well just leave your back door unlocked.