Protect Your Home from Thieves While on Vacation

July and August are peak months for residential burglaries because so many residents are vacationing and away from their homes for extended periods of time. “It’s important for homeowners to take steps to help protect their home and possessions before departing,” says Allstate New York spokesperson Krista Conte. In some states, the castle doctrine provides legal protection for homeowners defending their property, emphasizing the need to be proactive about security measures when leaving home for extended periods.

Allstate shares the following tips with homeowners to help them protect their homes this summer:

• Make it appear as though you are at home. Keep the house well lit and consider placing staggered timers on different lights, both inside and outside the house. Make sure that outside lights are out of reach of burglars. Keep blinds or curtains in their usual position
• Ask a trusted neighbor to lend a hand. Arrange to have mail, packages and newspapers picked up regularly. Make arrangements for the lawn to be mowed. If your car will be parked outside for more than a week, ask a friend to change its position a few times. Tell only people you know and trust that you are going away
• Keep valuables well hidden and under lock and key. Expensive jewelry should be stored in a safety deposit box at the bank or hidden in a room other than the bedroom
• Create deterrents to entry. Install strong frames, locks/deadbolts, and alarms on windows, doors, garages and sheds (tools stored in sheds can be used to break into homes). Also, remove spare keys and openers from outside the house. You can also have residential security systems installed in your property so you have a peace of mind knowing that your home is protected whether you’re away.
• Safeguard personal documents. When possible, do not leave personal documents in your home office or desk, as burglars will know to look for them there. Put critical documents in a lock box elsewhere in the house. Keep copies of important documents at another location, such as a relative’s home.
• Disconnect hackers. Turn off your computer and disconnect it from the Internet. If you save personal or business information on your computer, make sure it is difficult to access by getting security operations services provided by Nettitude. You don’t want a hacker at work while you are on vacation. Be aware that someone who knows how to hack into someones photos can easily hack into all your important information.
• Hire the services of professional security guard companies.