INDUSTRY INSIGHT
Home Safety
SPONSORED CONTENT
How to Prevent
Burglaries during Vacations
B
efore taking off on vacation, it is important for homeowners to make
sure they will not return to an empty or ransacked home. Experts
recommend several tips for avoiding burglaries while on vacation.
Give the impression that someone is always home. When they case
neighborhoods for potential targets, burglars look for patterns. If they
notice a home’s lights are always off and mail or fliers are piling up,
they know the residents are gone. Before leaving, ask that mail be held
or forwarded temporarily. Ask a neighbor to remove any fliers or cards
from a gate if applicable. It is also important to have lights come on
frequently. Set timers for lamps in various parts of the house. Setting a
television to record shows and turn on automatically can also be helpful.
If there is grass in the yard, arrange for it to be mowed. Leave a few
blinds or curtains partially open to give the appearance that someone is
home. If there is a land phone in the home, lower the ringer volume so
it is not audible outdoors. Also, make sure the volume on the answering
machine is turned down low.
Have a trusted person watch the home. Surveillance systems and
alarms are good for catching thieves, but having a person check in on
the home is still one of the best deterrents for burglars. Notify a trusted
neighbor, friend or family member about an upcoming vacation, and ask
that person to stop in from time to time.
Review a homeowners insurance policy. Before leaving for vacation,
talk to an agent to ensure the home is adequately insured. Make a
list of all personal belongings, and make sure any art or valuables are
specifically insured. Making a list is also a good way to have something
to identify what belongings were taken in the event of a burglary.
Following holidays or birthdays when gifts are commonly received, be
sure to discuss any expensive new belongings with an agent. Separate
riders may be needed, or these items may need to be named on an
existing policy. New computers, jewelry, DVD players and expensive art
are common examples. If a policy is not properly updated, some items
will not be covered if they are stolen.
Make the home burglar resistant. Doors should be secured with
double-cylinder locks instead of doorknobs, and it is important to
use deadbolt locks whenever possible. To be effective, deadbolt locks
should fit one and one-half inches into a door frame. People who want
to reinforce the locks can also use metal door frames or panels. These
are much more difficult to pry open than wood frames. If there are
sliding doors such as patio doors, put wooden sticks or broom handles
in the tracks behind the doors. This will make it nearly impossible for
thieves to pry these doors open. Every window in the house should
be locked and secured. Keep in mind that it is also possible to secure
windows with key locks.
Do not give burglars a reason to break in. Any valuable paintings,
decorations or antiques should be placed away from windows where
they are not easily visible from outside. If there are extra keys for the
home, do not leave them above frames, in flower pots, under doormats
or in the mailbox. Think of more creative places to put them, or simply
give a key to a trusted friend, family member or neighbor to check in
when needed. Any valuable jewelry or large amounts of cash should be
put in a safe deposit box while the home is vacant.
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