8 Tips on Keeping Your Home Secure While Away

What happens when it's time for you to enjoy some peace of mind, stepping outside of your busy life for a well-earned vacation? Travelling is more than physically moving through space; you need to disconnect from the homefront and allow yourself to be totally immersed in a new experience. Can you put your worries aside to get the rest that you need? While violent crime has been dropping consistently since the early 90s, property crime has not necessarily followed. There are ways to avoid stress and worry, so you can get down on your trip and enjoy your time away from home. Here are some tips on keeping your home secure while away.

1. Video Doorbells

Video doorbells are something that many people love even when they are not on a trip. App-connected doorbells will notify you when someone approaches your front door, and you can communicate with them over an intercom from anywhere that has a Wi-Fi connection. As far as any would-be burglar knows, you’re at home, rather than returning to your motel after a wild day of whitewater kayaking. These devices will alert you on your cell phone and you can even speak to the visitor calls. If you haven’t already invested in one of these innovative beauties, get one before your next departure.

2. Setting Automatic Lights

These days, we live in a world of the Internet of Things, commonly referred to in the tech industry as IoT. IoT is the growing market for connected wearable and home devices. One of the many IoT devices you can find is Wi-Fi-connected power outlets. It's easier than it sounds. Plug one into your most visible lamp and either set a timer or control the switch manually from your smartphone. 

3. Video Surveillance

With the way technology has progressed, it's easier than ever to monitor your home and get a visual of what's going on. According to ADT, modern video surveillance systems detect motion in your home and send a notification to your phone, keeping you updated throughout the day. To get the most out of your cameras, install one near each accessible entrance to your homes, such as the front and back doors, or in rooms with ground-level windows.

4. Install a Smart Thermostat

Purchasing a smart thermostat is an investment, but with energy costs at a premium, the device can quickly pay for itself. A smart thermostat can keep your home at the most cost-efficient temperature while you're away. It can even send you data on how much energy is being used at different times of the day. This way you will also keep track of the activities in the house, finding out if something unusual is happening.

5. Put Appliances on Watch

Keeping your house secure from natural and unwanted disasters is also key. If you've ever spent a workday worried about whether or not your coffee pot was at home catching on fire due to your forgetting to turn it off, this one is for you. 

Similar to setting automatic lights, you can use additional Wi-Fi-connected outlets to plug into your kitchen and household appliances. A quick check on your phone will tell you if a space heater or crockpot has been left running and you have the ability at your fingertips to cut the power from miles away.

6. Do Not Stash Your Keys

*Photo by Jim G on Flickr

One of the usual habits many of us have, especially those of us living in trusted neighbourhoods, is to leave our keys under a matt, shoe rack, or a plant pot. We tend to do this when we go away, thinking that in case of an emergency, our trusted friends or relatives need to have access to the house. However, we often forget that we are making our houses easy prey for criminals.

You can’t leave your key anywhere that the master burglar can’t find, so it is best to leave it with a trusted individual instead. Give the key to your friend, your trustworthy neighbour and never stash it.

7. Install a Smart Lock for the Door

Even if you trust your neighbours or your friends, the problem with the keys will not go away. For any reason, they may lose the key and someone else may find it. Also, you may not be living close to your friends and it is possible you are not very close to your neighbours to trust them.

In situations like this, it is advisable to install a smart lock. With smart locks, you can generate expiring codes for a temporary period for someone to get in. This way you will monitor getting-ins and outs and prevent unannounced visits, and when you get back, you can cancel the codes.

8. Disconnect the Garage Door

*Photo by Cary Peterson on Flickr

Your garage looks like a great place to store objects such as ladders and tools that are handy for burglars. Moreover, having installed an electronic garage door increases the security of your house in general. But there are still things to be careful about.

Electronic garage doors are operated by remotes. If the garage door provides access to the house itself, a professional thief is able to break in by hacking the electronic signals. To avoid this possible consequence, it is better to disconnect the garage door before you go on vacation. 

Enjoying your vacation is a must, and you deserve it. Make sure you're securing your home for the next time you get away by using some of our helpful tips and turning your home into a home of the future.