Going on vacation is a time to escape everyday stresses, relax, and recharge.  Whether packing up the camper for a weekend in the White Mountains or heading out for an overseas adventure, extended time away from your routine can raise a red flag and allow criminals to enter your home.

Top 4 Tips for Preventing a Break-In While On Vacation

With just 4 easy anti-burglary steps, you can protect your New Hampshire home and rest easy while on your well-deserved holiday.

1. Make the House Look Occupied

Burglars look for certain tell-tale signs that no one is home, such as piled-up mail or newspapers, uncut grass, and a dark house. Thwart them by arranging for it to look like someone’s home.

• Use timers on lamps, TVs, and radios. Having lights and TVs turning on and off to mimic your typical routine will make it look as though you’re home.
• Have your mail stopped while away by either filling out a short form at your local US Post Office or visiting USPS.com and filing the form electronically. 
• Arrange for a neighbor to check for unexpected package deliveries
• Hire someone to mow the grass, water the plants, or remove snow while you’re gone.
• Ask your neighbor to put your trash barrels out on trash day.

2. Take Safety Precautions

Vacation isn’t the only time someone might break into your home, but some lapses in security do become more apparent while not at home. Take some precautions before you leave and keep year-round to help prevent break-ins at any time. 

• Install motion-sensor lighting. This will light up the exterior of your home if it senses anyone approaching, making it less inviting to thieves.
• Notify the police that you will be away.  Many departments will arrange additional patrolling in your neighborhood, which may deter thieves.
• Lock all doors and windows before leaving, and never leave a key in an obvious hiding location.
• Doors should be solid and have a 1-inch deadbolt and other safety features.
• A door between the garage and the home's interior should be treated as an exterior door and be as secure as other exterior doors.
• Use a metal or wooden bar in the track of a sliding glass door to prevent it from being opened.
• Keep shrubbery well-trimmed to minimize places to hide while breaking into your home.
• Using thorny plants near the house, such as rose bushes, can also act as a deterrent.
• Never leave ladders accessible where thieves may be able to use them to gain access to the 2nd story of your home.

3. Consider an Alarm or Monitoring System

An alarm system can be the most valuable deterrent to protect your home and has never been less expensive and easy to use.  Alarm systems make it more difficult for thieves to get into your home without being caught.  They can also provide valuable warnings of fires and basement flooding, leading to greater peace of mind while you’re away.  Many home insurance companies will offer a discount for a professionally monitored alarm system.  Some key features to look for include:

• Door and window alarms on all easily accessed entries
• Glass-break sensors
• Motion-detectors
• Monitored fire and carbon monoxide detectors
• Online access to your security events

If you have an alarm system, putting a visible sign in the yard or window can help deter thieves. Never write down the passcode and leave it near the alarm itself. If you must give the code to someone outside the immediate family, ask if your alarm can be enabled with a temporary code that is easier for them to remember and can be disabled or deleted when you return.  Tell your insurance agent about any monitoring system you install, as credits may be available.  

4. Know Thy Neighbors

Good neighbors make safe neighborhoods. Neighbors can easily monitor one another’s property and help the home look occupied while you are away. If your neighbors know you are away, ensure they have your contact information in case it is needed in an emergency. 

Nothing takes the feeling of rest and relaxation away faster than coming home to the front door swinging in the breeze and finding your valuables gone.  Don’t let your home be part of a statistic. You deserve a great vacation and peace of mind.

Stay safe!