As the holidays approach, you may be planning trips out of town to see relatives, or to spend time with your immediate family somewhere new. In the hubbub over packing, coordinating schedules and planning routes, make sure your home is protected while you are away!

Setting Up Your Home

Lights on give the impression that someone is home, but constant light can be a giveaway that you left them on to dissuade intruders. It’s also not going to help your electricity bill to leave the lights on for several days. Put strategic lamps and switches on timers to have some light on throughout the evening on a programmed schedule. Your curtains and shades should be at the angle they are usually kept at, and any valuables should be moved out of sight. If you are going to be gone for several days, put a stop on your mail at the post office. They will collect your mail while you are away, and you can pick it up when you return. You should also cancel newspaper delivery service for the duration of your trip. Unplug any appliances or electronics that can be unplugged in order to protect them from potential power surges and outages.

With the rise of smartphones and social media, it’s tempting to keep everyone up to date on your travels. However, you never know who is looking at what you are posting. Refrain from documenting your adventures online until after you are home. The wrong eyes can see your post and realize you have left a house unattended for several days, and may not have proper security measures in place to protect your home. If you have a landline, don’t alter your outgoing message to reflect you are away. Do you have a spare key stashed outside? Chances are your hiding place is not ideal. Bring the key inside while you are away so you can keep intruders out.

Keep Your Home Safe with a Security System

The easiest way to keep your home secure is with a monitored alarm system. You will be able to get sensors for windows, motion, doors, and broken glass, as well as an alarm that goes off upon entry. Many systems now come with monitoring via cell phone, and will immediately alert the police if your home is broken into.

If you are interested in installing a home security system, contact Basco Security! We will go to your home and assess your security needs, providing a commitment-free quote for the system best for you! We can be reached at 781-294-4166 or fill out our online form to schedule a free estimate!