Shutting the front door as you leave for your vacation – whether you’re heading overseas or somewhere in the United States – gives most people cause for pause.
They will often ask themselves simple questions: Are all the appliances turned off? Have I locked the back door? Are all the windows secured?
It’s a natural response when you know you’re leaving for a couple of weeks.
FBI data suggests the summer vacation period is primetime for home burglaries.
Police departments from New York, Los Angeles and Chicago confirm there are more break-ins at residential buildings in July and August than at any other time of year.
The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program says homes that look empty are 30% more likely to be broken into. And you’re 300% more likely to be a victim if you don’t have a burglar alarm.
And the bad guys don’t always come in the middle of the night. They’re brazen, operating in business hours. Some 60% of burglaries are conducted during the day.
Police data from 2023 suggests only 37.5% of break-ins involve forced entry. Thieves are opportunists and target unlocked doors, windows and garages.
The most popular entry points are the front door (34%), a first-floor window (23%) and back door (22%).
Fewer than 13% of those who commit burglaries are caught and victims lose possessions worth almost $25,000 on average.
So, here are seven tips to secure your home before your vacation:
Always double-check – Ensure all external entry points, including the garage, are locked. Check the windows and skylights. A summer house and shed should be locked and bolted.
Arm the security system – That’s such an obvious statement, but always check to ensure you’ve turned it on. If you have cameras, it’s a good idea to test if they’re working a couple of days before departure.
Don’t hide keys – Burglars will look under pots, stones and any other obvious hiding place for spare keys. Don’t leave them outside your home.
Timed lighting – Light timers are relatively cheap and will make your home appear occupied. You can set the timer for lights to go off in separate rooms at different times. Try to mimic occupancy patterns.
It’s curtains – Your blinds and drapes should remain open. Closed drapes are a giveaway, and they will stifle your light-timer strategy if they’re closed.
Mail collection – Ask a friend or neighbor to empty your mailbox. The local delivery center can also hold your mail.
Mow and trim – Before leaving, give your garden a solid trim so it does not appear overgrown in your absence. If you’re away for a prolonged period, hire a local gardening service. Put away tools and ladders as these are often used by opportunist criminals.