If you’re going away it can be an exciting time but it can also be a little worrying in terms of the security of your home and the possessions that you leave behind. While it may be true that your annual vacation can be the time when your property is most under threat, there are some very simple security measures that you can undertake to make things much safer, and the good news is that most of them are completely free!

Going on Vacation? Who Really Needs to Know?

Keep it on the Hush Hush

The age of social media has revolutionized our lives, but it has also led to great benefits for professional burglars. Since the latter part of the 2000’s, there have been many cases of crimes committed by thieves who had monitored their victims’ posts on Facebook or Twitter and managed to acquire their vacation dates prior to the theft.

In fact, a survey of 50 burglars in the UK back in 2011 revealed that over 75% were using Social Media websites to track movements of potential targets. The message is simple – keep off those sites and only reveal your plans to those who need to know.

Take Care when Parking at the Airport

If you can, get a friend or neighbor to take you to the airport itself but if this isn’t possible, you must be aware of a simple trick that burglars use to get right back to your home.

Your portable GPS is an expensive piece of equipment and it shouldn’t be left on display in any event but if you do leave it visible when you park up, you could end up losing much more than the few hundred dollars that it originally cost.

Reports have shown over the years that criminals have targeted cars with portable GPS systems on show and once they gain access to your car then guess what? They only have to locate the ‘home’ button to drive right up to your door.

Trust Thy Neighbor

As long as you’re a law abiding citizen yourself then you will have at least one neighbor close by who you can trust completely. Tell them your plans and ask them to keep a watch on your home for any suspicious activity.

A neighbor can collect your mail and newspapers too, and while it is suggested by some that you should put a temporary hold on this type of delivery, it’s better to have as normal a routine as possible. Burglaries have been committed as a direct result of a postal worker having access to vacation information and while these cases may be rare, it’s a risk that can easily be avoided.

Make your home appear ‘normal’

A normal routine can extend to keeping curtains and blinds open in your home and if possible, ask that trusted neighbor to call in and close them at night. Meanwhile, timer switches can be used to turn lights on and off, so if you don’t have them, think of them as an investment.

Finally, keep that trustworthy neighbor of yours busy and ask if he or she can park on your driveway at certain times of the day and night.
Staying Secure

Sometimes, the simplest courses of action are the ones that you forget so before you head away, make a checklist of all the things you need to do to make your home as secure as possible.
Lock all windows and doors and keep valuables out of sight of anyone looking directly into your home. If you have a home security system, make sure it is set and if you haven’t got anything in place, consider that investment before you travel. Many Insurance Companies also produce a handy list of things to do so it may also be wise to speak to your provider to get their recommendations.

Your home may be vulnerable while you are away but simple preventative measures can be taken to provide a deterrent and that’s sufficient enough for the majority of burglars to leave you alone and to target someone who has been a little more careless.

The following is a guest post from Kevin Raposo, a blogger for SimpliSafe & Infobia. Kevin covers issues related to home security, crime, safety, and consumer issues. Kevin is a dedicated writer and musician, spreading the word through music and blogging. SimpliSafe Home Security is a leader in the wireless home security field.