Burglar-Proof Your Home Before You Leave for Vacation

Burglars look forward to the summer months – especially August, it seems. They know that homeowners many times leave their homes unprotected when going on vacation. Experts say that most burglaries could be prevented just by taking basic precautions.  The Insurance Information Institute (III) advises that light, time and noise are the homeowner’s greatest weapons against home invasion by burglars.

• According to the FBI, more home burglaries occur in June, July and August than in any other months of the year with August being the heaviest month.
• Do not publicly announce your travel plans in advance. Instead, share your vacation stories – complete with pictures –  when you return.
• Notify a trusted neighbor of your travel plans, including your date of departure and return.
• Ask a neighbor or someone you trust for simple favors such as: putting your garbage out, collecting your mail, clearing away any flyers and packages left around your door.
• Never hide a key. Instead, give it to the trusted person you have checking your home.
• Properly close and lock all windows and doors – including your garage.
• Leave curtains slightly parted so your home doesn’t look empty, but be sure valuables inside your home are stored out of sight from your windows.
• Put a temporary stop on the delivery of mail and newspaper or ask your neighbor to collect them until you return.
• Mark your valuables and create a home inventory either by making a list or taking pictures. Store it along with other important documents in a security box somewhere other than your home.
• Be sure that your answering machine message does not betray you. Your message should say, “Sorry we can't come to the phone" instead of “We are away until next week”.

Typically, a burglar won’t spend more than 4-5 minutes trying to break in before going to the next house according to the III. Most insurance companies provide discounts for devices that make a home safer such as dead-bolt locks, window grates, bars and smoke/fire/burglar alarms – all of which make it more difficult to gain entrance to your home.

Before you take that long-awaited vacation, consider contacting your insurance agent for further suggestions and to find out just how well your home is protected against burglaries and theft of your valuables. Here at Patterson Insurance Management Inc. in Odenton, MD, we always welcome your questions.