How to Protect Your Home While You're Away

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

07 Apr 2009 01:46 PM

Leaving your home alone for any length of time, whether it is a day or a month can be a nerve wracking experience. How do you know that thieves won't break in to your home while you are gone? Here are some tips on how to protect your home while you're away.

The best way to protect your home while you are away is to make it appear as though it is occupied, even when it is not. If thieves think that you are home, then chances are pretty good that they will not break into your home.

Contact a neighbor, family member or good friend that you can rely on to check on your home when you are away. Not only can they do little errands for you to make it appear as though someone is home, they can also alert you to any potential problems.

Have your mail stopped or have someone pick it up while you are away, so it doesn't pile up.

Have someone switch cars with you, so it will look as though there is some new activity at your home.

Have your lawn and walk taken care of. Arrange to have the sidewalk and driveway shoveled if it snows or debris collect.

Get several automatic timers and place them in different rooms to turn lights on and off automatically. This will make it appear that people are living in the house at the time. Alternatively, you can leave one or two interior lights on inside to give the impression that someone is home.

Rely on the police by letting them know that you will be away for an extended period of time. Usually the police are more than happy to check on your home periodically. This can lessen the chances of them having to come out to investigate a burglary. Also alert your neighborhood watch program, if you have one.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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