Vacation Watch Tips

A vacation, a weekend away from home, or a business trip should be a pleasant experience for you and your family. You can make each trip more enjoyable and carefree if you will take a few simple steps to reduce the possibility that your house will be burglarized or vandalized while you are gone. A vacant house--or one that appears to be vacant--is an appealing target to a burglar. Below are 21 tips for protecting your home while you are away.

Some of these things you should do one or two days before you leave; the rest can be done in a few minutes before you leave.

To help you remember, carry this list with you as you prepare to leave, and check off each item as you do it. Click here for a printable list of these tips.

Returning to a home that has been broken into is an unpleasant finish to any trip.  Never give a burglar an even break.

At least one day before you leave:

  1. Notify your newspaper carrier to discontinue newspaper deliveries until you return.
  2. Notify the post office to hold your mail OR arrange with a family member, friend, or neighbor to pick up
      and hold your mail.
  3. Make arrangements to have grass cut and watered while you are gone. Have someone check daily to
      remove throwaway papers and circulars from your doorway and yard.
  4. If you have valuables in the house, take them to your bank for storage in a safe deposit vault. Deposit
      extra cash in your bank account.
  5. Notify the Police Department about your departure and return dates and give a name and telephone
      number of a neighbor or relative to notify incase of a burglary, fire, or other emergency.
  6. Make sure any broken windows, door locks, or window locks are repaired.
  7. Arrange with a family member, friend, or neighbor to watch your house and give them a key and let
      them know where or how you can be reached in an emergency. Write their telephone number down
      so you can check with them during your trip. Give them your car description and license number.
  8. Move all ladders, tools, lawn implements, garbage cans, and yard furniture to your garage, basement,
      or storage shed.

On the day you leave:

  1. Unplug all electrical appliances such as radios, television sets, irons, washers, and fans to prevent
      possible damage from electrical storms.
  2. Set your thermostat so that your furnace will maintain a reasonable temperature - 80º F in the
      summer and 55º F in the winter. In the winter, make sure outside water taps are drained to prevent
      freezing.
  3. Close your fireplace flue to prevent birds or animals from entering.
  4. Make sure all gas appliances are in good order and that the pilot lights are working.
  5. Turn off water to automatic washer to prevent possible damage from broken hose.
  6. Turn down the volume control on your telephone so it cannot be heard from outside.
  7. Close all windows and sliding doors and lock them. Make sure that the "Charlie bar" is secure on
      sliding doors, and that all screens or storm windows are locked or fastened.
  8. Put window shades in normal daytime position, and make sure all main floor drapes, shades, and
      curtains are arranged so that neighbors and police can see into your house.
  9. If you are leaving a car or other vehicle in your driveway, make sure it is locked.
10. Set your electrical timer to turn some lights on and off during the evening hours.
11. Lock your garage door.
12. Make sure the last person out locks the door. Take a walk around the house. Check the doors and
      windows.
13. If you haven't already done so, leave your key with your neighbor or relative. Check to make sure you
      have their telephone number.