7 Ways To Protect Your Home During Spring Break Vacation

By Krystal Rogers-Nelson

Spring break is upon us, and many families are preparing for a week of fun, sun, and relaxation. Before you take off for the beach, though, consider prepping your property to minimize the chances of a burglary while you’re gone.

Here are a few tips on how to do just that.

1. Hire a house sitter

Burglars often won’t even consider targeting a home when someone is present, and a house sitter has several benefits, especially if you’re going to be gone awhile. They can take care of your pets, bring in your mail, take out the trash, and more.

Most importantly, any criminals casing your neighborhood will see that the house is occupied, forcing them to think twice about targeting it.

2. Switch to smart locks

It’s easy to forget to lock the doors when you’re in a frantic rush to get on the road. And if you have pet sitters or anyone else coming over while you’re gone, it’s easy for them to forget.

Smart door locks allow you to check the status of each door and lock or unlock them remotely. You can also issue digital keys, so you don’t have to worry about physical copies getting lost or ending up in the wrong hands.

August is probably the most well-known smart lock maker, but there are plenty of other options out there if you have different needs or don’t want to spend that much money.

3. Invest in a doorbell camera

A smart doorbell camera not only shows you who’s ringing your doorbell but also detects motion near your door and sends you an alert. This lets you check out the scene and warn off anyone you see.

In one survey of 86 inmates serving time for burglary, every single respondent reported knocking on the door first before entering. A motion-activated doorbell camera could be ideal for getting a good shot of their face that you can hand over to police.

Ring makes some of the top-rated video doorbells and also has a unique neighborhood watch feature where users can report crimes for other Ring owners to see. It’s a great way to keep up with suspicious activity and know when to use a little extra caution.

4. Use home automation to make it look like you’re home

This is especially useful with lights. It’s often recommended you leave lights on inside the home to make it look like someone’s there, but if you’re gone for any significant length of time, this can eat up electricity.

Systems like Philips Hue can let you set up timers for the lights and rotate between different rooms. This way, the illusion will appear more realistic to someone who’s keeping an eye on your property.

5. Install a home security system

Many would-be intruders won’t even enter a house they know has a security system, and if they do, the loud alarm is often enough to scare them off.

It’s a good idea to choose a monitored security system so if someone does break in while you’re away, it’ll alert both you and the authorities. Just let your monitoring company know you’ll be away on vacation so the reps know any alarms triggered will be the real deal.

Finally, make sure to put up the little signs the company gives you. These aren’t always effective at deterring break-ins, but some burglars will see them and decide the house isn’t worth the risk. Every little bit helps.

6. Be smart about your landscaping

Shrubbery near the house might look great, but it can also give burglars a perfect hiding spot to scope out your home or attempt to open windows. It’s a good idea to trim any trees or bushes near the home before you leave for vacay to minimize this possibility. Plus, your yard will look great when you get back!

7. Set up motion-activated floodlights

An easy way to startle anyone sneaking around your home at night is to install motion-activated lighting. These convenient bright spots can be installed as part of your security system, or you can purchase them separately.

Nothing can ruin a relaxing spring break like worrying about the safety of your home. Whichever methods you decide to employ, you’re sure to enjoy your vacation more knowing your home is as protected as possible.