Home Safety While You're Away

Traveling is truly a lifestyle choice and once you’ve got the bug, that’s it for you! We got the travel bug bad when we went to Cabo San Lucas for the first, second and third time!  We have another trip planned in December!

But what happens to your home while you are away? Keeping your property safe and secure while you travel has to be amongst your top priorities. Leaving a property empty can be seen as an invitation to some people, but what about unexpected weather or accidents?

Here are a few tips to get you started.

Protecting Your Stuff

While you’re home, it’s pretty easy to keep an eye on your belongings and make sure they’re safe. But when you’re away, you should definitely think about adding a few safety precautions, just to make sure nothing untoward will happen.

Hiding your valuables in a safe place is a good idea and finding obscure places is actually a fun game. Wrapping valuables in foil and putting them in a freezer is a good start but you could also consider hiding documents inside picture frames too. If you don’t already have blinds, this is also a good idea for longer trips as they discourage prying eyes looking for valuables that have been left out.

But protection isn’t just about putting burglars off. You might also want to protect your car with a metal carport to prevent sun damage and, depending on where you live, this might be a good idea anyway! There are all kinds of different metal carports around so you can choose one to suit your house and your needs without being too obtrusive.

Finding a House Sitter

If you are going away for a longer period, it might make sense to bring in a house sitter. Whether your house sitter is a close friend or family member or someone who does this as a kind of side hustle, bringing someone in ensures that your house won’t be unattended. Finding a trustworthy house sitter can be quite daunting but if you ask around, you’re sure to find someone with a good reputation and a track record.

In essence, a house sitter will provide a presence in your home so that it is clearly occupied and maintained. They should treat your property as though it is their own, keeping it clean and tidy for when you get back. Some house sitters also offer further services including pet sitting and garden maintenance but you should ask rather than assume before you agree.

Many house sitters charge for their services but if you are lucky, you might find someone who simply wants a place to stay free of charge. If this is the case, you’ve hit the jackpot, though leaving some delicious food in the kitchen for them is a nice welcoming touch. Just the basics like bread, butter and milk can make a really good impression.

Easy Tips and Tricks

Modern technology is here to help. You can install cameras to keep an eye on your home and even access the images on your phone. This means that you don’t necessarily need to be home to see what’s going on. And, some of the best cameras aren’t as expensive as you might think.

Giving the impression that you are in while you are away is the oldest trick in the book but it is still worthwhile. Putting your lights on timers is a good start and you should never leave the curtains half open, half closed - this is like advertising you are away! Asking a neighbor to keep an eye out is also a good idea and they may also be able to pop in and pick up your mail for you too.

Home safety should be the last thing on your mind while you’re away but you do need to give it some thought now. Any empty property can be vulnerable to theft and damage (accidental or criminal) so even telling a trusted neighbor you will be away is a good idea. While you are away, you should also leave a key with a trusted neighbor or family member. This is important because if anything should happen, they will need to get in easily.

Where do you plan on going next?