Secure Your Home when Out of Town
by Dan Grushkin
HipHome Columnist

Summer vacation will be on us before we know it. For many that means a vacation away from the house. An empty house can be a target for an intruder, so while you're enjoying the sun and your time off make sure you've taken measures to ward off any potential intruders.

Burglars tend to strike when they see signs that a family is away from the house, and there are a number of signs that a house is uninhabited. A home security system and an activated burglar alarm are obvious precautions, but there are several details we tend to forget when we go away.

Mailbox
Make sure you have a friend or relative come by your house every couple of days to pick up your mail. One of the surest signs of an empty house is an overstuffed mailbox. Burglars are keen watchers. It's easy to see no one's been home when the mail hasn't been picked up.

Newspapers
Another sure sign that no one's in the house is a stack of newspapers lying by the front door. Remember to call your newspaper before going away. Tell them the exact dates of your trip. Not only will you be saving your house from signs of your absence, many newspapers will extend your subscription by the time spent away.

Lights
Make sure to have lights turned on somewhere in the house. The best lights to leave on are ones by windows. Bedroom lights or living room lights are a good place to start. Many home security systems have timers to turn them on and off. If you know you'll be traveling often when purchasing a home security system, ask to have lighting timers installed.

Burglar Alarm
Before you leave for your trip, make sure all your windows and doors are locked and that your burglar alarm is armed. A burglar alarm that is not used doesn't do much for your home's security. Also, make sure to give a friend or neighbor your house key, the code to the alarm, and your phone number in case of emergency. If you have a monitoring service, make sure they have your neighbor's phone number. That way, if there is an emergency or a false alarm, you know all bases are covered.

About the Author
Dan Grushkin is freelance writer in Brooklyn, New York. He has written about world affairs for Agence France-Presse news wire, various international publications and has contributed to a book on the Middle East crisis. Dan holds a B.A. from Johns Hopkins University.