Preventing Theft While on Vacation

 

Preventing theft while you're on vacation calls for proactive deterrence measures along two avenues:

1. Prevention needed to ensure that your home, property and personal belongings are safe from would-be vandals or thieves wanting to break in, believing your property is unoccupied
2. Preventive steps needed to ensure the safety of your person, your family and your personal belongings during your travels

Home Burglary Protection While on Vacation

According to statistics gathered by the FBI, a home is burglarized in the US every 15 seconds, with an average loss of approximately $2,188 per burglary.  This means there are about 4,800 burglaries every day or 2.5 million per year.

While nearly 50% of all homes in the US are without a security system, statistics show that a home without a security system is three times as likely to suffer a break-in or burglary.  Burglars are known to look for signs of a security system in a property they're considering robbing.  They'd much rather prey on a home without a system and, if a system is apparent, will often move on to a different victim.

This makes an active home security system the number one item for preventing home theft, especially if the alarm is monitored by off-site authorities.  Systems are also available that can notify you personally on your cell phone if your home security system is triggered.  Other theft-deterrence items include:

• Solid wood or steel exterior doors with deadbolt locks.
• Motion-activated sensors on exterior flood lights and cameras.
• Locks on pet doors.
• Hardware installed on garage doors to prevent easy access.
• Windows should be locked and blocked and basement windows have well covers.

Make sure you have comprehensive homeowners insurance protecting your home and personal belongings.  Complete an inventory of your personal belongings.  Include photos and serial numbers.  Some other safety tips for protecting your home while on vacation include:

• Don't publicize your upcoming travel in public or on social media
• Put a halt on your newspaper and mail deliveries or arrange for a trusted friend or neighbor to collect them regularly
• Put an inside light on a timer
• Park your car in the garage and ask a neighbor to park in your drive once in a while
• Make sure your lawn gets trimmed

Preventing Theft on Your Travels

Tips to avoid theft while on your travels are too numerous to list individually here but many can be found here and here.