Going on Vacation, Buzzle Readers? Protect Your Home First!

You are ready to leave for a trip abroad. Your suitcases are packed and you are eagerly anticipating a much-needed break; but how rejuvenated will you feel if you return to a vandalized or damaged home?

Careful preparation and planning can mean the difference between delight and disaster. Read the following article, exclusive to Buzzle, for 25 ways to protect your home and property while you enjoy your holidays.

1. Hold your tongue.
You are excited about your upcoming vacation and want to share some of that excitement with the people around you. However, chatting about your plans in public could mean that the wrong people, including potential vandals or burglars, might overhear them.

2. Do not advertise your intentions.
If you decide to look for a housesitter, do not place a "housesitter wanted" ad in the newspaper or on the Internet. Professional thieves watch for such ads.

3. Tell the right people.
You should notify the local police as well as your alarm company of your travel plans. Make sure that they have emergency contact details for a local person as well as a way to reach you while you are gone. If you have a cell phone that will work wherever you are going, provide them with your cell phone number as well.

4. Arrange for extra police patrols.
Crime prevention is better than a trial following a break-in. Ask your police department if they would be willing to patrol your area more frequently while you are away.

5. Keep your housesitter well informed.
Prepare a note, printout, or drawing indicating the locations of all water/gas valves, fuse boxes, and/or main circuit breakers.

6. Remember: a photo is worth a thousand words.
Use your cell phone or digital camera to take photos of anyone who has your permission to access your home while you are gone: petsitters, relatives, contractors, yard maintenance people, etc. E-mail copies to your housesitter or get them developed and ensure that the housesitter has them before you leave.

7. Let there be light.
Nobody wants to commit a crime in bright light where neighbors or passing police cruisers might notice. Motion-sensitive exterior lights in key areas may discourage intruders.

8. Make it difficult.
The more difficult a break-in is and the more time it takes, the less likely it is to occur at all. Install deadbolt locks on all windows and doors - and remember to lock them before you leave.

9. Protect your home 24-7.
A monitored security system protects your home, whether you are at home or globetrotting. Some systems will even call the fire department automatically if they detect carbon monoxide fumes or smoke. The added security is an obvious benefit. You may also qualify for lower insurance rates. Contact your insurance agents before installing a system. They might be able to provide specific recommendations and/or discount coupons.

10. Repair and replace exterior lights.
Broken exterior lights with burnt out bulbs are useless. Do your homework and make sure that they are all in perfect order before you leave.

11. Maintain the yard.
A well-maintained yard = a lived-in look. Depending on the season, arrange to have lawns mowed, leaves raked, or snow removed.

12. Pick up and take out.
Have somebody pick up your mail daily and take your trash to the street on garbage day.

13. Make believe.
A few children's toys scattered about the yard will create the illusion of an occupied home.

14. Use your driveway wisely.
If you have a garage, take out your vehicle and park it in the driveway instead. Try to have a neighbor or friend move it once in awhile, leaving it in a slightly different spot each time. Alternatively, arrange for a neighbor to use your driveway for parking.

15. Unplug the garage door opener.
Manufacturers build garage door openers on assembly lines. Remote controls produced by the same company will often have the same combination or frequency. This could result in someone other than you opening your garage - either by mistake or on purpose.

16. Transfer your treasures.
Avoid leaving loose cash, jewelry, and other small valuables on the premises. Take the time to transfer them to your safety deposit box.

17. Unplug and save on your power bill.
Protect your belongings and save a bit of electricity. Be sure to unplug every non-essential electrical device in your home. This will also protect surge-sensitive equipment like computers.

18. Eliminate tattletale telephone ringers.
Passersby who hear a telephone ring repeatedly without being answered are sure to realize that your home is empty. Turn off all telephone ringers.

19. Do not announce that you are gone.
Check your voice mail or answering machine message. Does it say anything to indicate that you are away? Do not announce to callers that you are off on a much-needed break in Maui. Instead, record something generic such as, "Joe and Mary are unable to come to the phone right now. Please leave a message and we'll get back to you as soon as possible."

20. Remove "hidden" keys.
If you can locate your extra house key hidden behind a loose brick, under a rock, or behind a shutter, so can an intruder. Take that extra key and leave it with the person in charge of watching your house.

21. Avoid water damage.
Hoses can deteriorate and spring leaks when you least expect. Shut off the water supply to all appliances before you go. Regular inspection and replacement of hoses can prevent problems before and after your vacation as well.

22. Create a light and sound show.
Install a few timers on lamps and a couple of radios so that they turn on and off throughout the day. The lights and sounds will help to simulate an occupied home.

23. Plug the holes.
Have you ever seen a cat or raccoon squeeze through an impossibly tiny hole? Vandals can get into small spaces too! Secure all your pet doors and any other holes that could allow entry for animals or humans. Remember to lock all other doors and windows as well, including outbuildings like garages and storage sheds.

24. Check the air conditioner.
An inactive air conditioner when it is 100F in the shade is a tattletale indication that nobody is at home. Turn it to a moderate setting that will activate if the weather gets hot.

25. Clear your voice messages.
While you are gone, check and clear answering machine messages or voice mail as often as you can. This will avoid beep patterns, "voicemail full" messages, or immediate routing to voice mail that indicate telephone inactivity.

Be sure to visit 111 Travel Directory for more articles and travel tips that can help to make your travel experiences safer and more relaxing.