Three Crucial Guidelines for Protecting Your Home During Long-Term Travel
If you are planning on travelling for a prolonged period for business or leisure, you should make sure that your home is secure. Often, burglars and robbers take advantage of these periods of absence to steal valuable possessions and cause property damage. In addition, these unscrupulous individuals are rarely apprehended because you will not be able to pinpoint the time of infiltration. However, you can protect your home by taking a few measures before leaving, especially in relation to your residential locks. Here are some practical tips to help you minimise the risk of break-ins during your absence.
Consider Changing Your Locks
You should think about changing the door locks in your home before leaving for your long-term trip. This process is essential if you have old locks installed on your entryways. In general, residential locks become mechanically unstable over time due to environmental degradation. Therefore, they can be broken using sufficient impact or pressure. Also, if you have an outdated lock design, there is a higher chance that potential burglars can pick it. You should consult a locksmith for an assessment of your locks before your departure. They can recommend and install the best deadbolts or other locks to match your home security requirements.
Avoid Hiding Your Spare Keys
When travelling for a prolonged period, it is normal to be concerned about the possibility of losing the house keys. Typically, most people are afraid that they will return home and find themselves in an awkward lockout after a long journey. These fears usually translate into a bad habit of hiding spare keys outside the house. For instance, some individuals conceal the key in a fake stone, under flower pots and on window ledges. While this practice might seem clever, it makes your home vulnerable to opportunistic burglars. If you must leave a key, you should place the copy in the care of a trustworthy friend or family member. If you do get locked out, you can consult an emergency locksmith.
Monitor the House
You should make arrangements for home monitoring before leaving for your trip. This practice will put your mind at ease, and you can report any crimes committed in a timely fashion, increasing the probability of favourable results. Under ideal circumstances, you should install a security system with cameras. This setup can be connected to the phone, and you can perform regular check-ups. Alternatively, you can ask a reliable person with your spare key to come into the house for periodic property inspections.