Home Security Systems Steps to Ensure You are Not a Victim of Burglary

The Lockman, Memphis, TN 

Did you just spend a glorious week on vacation only to pull in your driveway and find your home was burglarized while you were away? The glee from your previous week is instantly gone, and you are left wondering, “Why me?” You do not have to spend a fortune to protect your home. Home security systems are available and there are a wide variety of options.

It is a scenario that plays out thousands of times each year in households across the world. In the days following, you are sure to ask yourself, “What could I have done differently?” At The Lockman we care about your security and want you to security and a peace of mind when leaving your property or home. That is why we have complied a list of steps for you to take before you go on vacation. With these simple steps, you can lower your home’s risk of being targeted and invaded by burglars. 

Do Not Tell Everyone Your Vacation Plans 

Do not put anything on your voicemail, email autoreply, or social media that implies you will be gone. It is tempting to post your vacation photos in the moment, but it is safer to wait until after you return home. If you cannot resist, make sure only trusted friends see your posts and do not mention the exact dates you will be gone. Keep your usual voicemail and make your email autoreply message vague. Take advantage of the Post Office’s out of town mail service and set up a hold on your mail during your vacation. This help to eliminate bulk mail in your mailbox a key sign that the mail is not being checked daily and that the homeowners are away. 

Install Outdoor Security Lights 

When looking for a way inside, burglars are more likely to go for areas that are dark and hidden from view. You can light up these dark, hidden spots by installing security lights in areas such as the back door, behind shrubs or bushes, or on the sides of the house. Most models can be set to be motion activated or they can be activated to come on at night, so you do not have to worry about them wasting a lot of energy. 

Install a Smart Door Lock 

 At The Lockman we have several types of locks for your home and highly recommend smart locks. You can activate these locks from your smartphone and grant temporary access with expiring codes. If you have someone checking in on your house, you can keep track of exactly who goes in and out of your house and stop access once you are home again. You will no longer have to worry about keeping track of who has your spare keys because you have total control over who has access at any time.  

Quit Hiding Spare Keys 

Having spare keys stashed around the outside of your house is never a great idea anyways, but if you are going out of town, now is the time to collect them all. Unfortunately, your hiding spots are just not as clever as you think. 

Do a Double Check to Make Sure Every Lock is Locked, and Alarms are Set 

Unbelievably this is a step that is easy to forget, we start to rely on our alarms and forget to make sure everything is locked, especially windows. Make sure all doors and windows are shut and locked and the alarm is set before you leave, double check if necessary. Close all your blinds and curtains and if you put timers on lights to simulate human presence, make sure that light can get through to the street. If you do not yet have an alarm, make sure you have one installed before you leave for vacation. Certain alarms will go off directly at the nearby police station. 

Install a Video Doorbell 

A video doorbell allows you to answer your front door from virtually anywhere. Every time someone rings your doorbell, you get an alert on your phone so you can see and speak to the visitor. Some models, like the Ring Pro and SkyBell, also have motion detectors, so you will still get an alert even if the person does not actually ring the bell.  

Install Home Security Systems

Well-placed security cameras both inside and outside can mean the difference between catching a perpetrator. Certain cameras also have motion detection and will send alerts and video to your smartphone. The cameras allow you to check in remotely in real time and live stream whatever is going on at your house. 

These are just a few helpful steps for better home safety. To avoid being burglarized, try to think like a burglar and do your best to make it impossible for them to hit your home. It has been reported, that if burglars see that a home has an alarm system, cameras, or smart locks they are 90% more likely to move on to another house. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a free estimate, contact The Lockman today at (901) 246-2246. You can trust The Lockman crew. We will do our absolute best to give you peace of mind not only while you are on vacation but for all time.