Me and my wife Snigdha run a successful travel blog, due to which we travel quite often. My parents also have a penchant for travelling along with us resulting in an empty house most of the time. With petty crime rates quite high in my city, it is absolutely essential for me to follow a set pattern of security measures so that nothing gets stolen during our holidays and we can have a stress free vacation.
Security System
The security system is one of the paramount and first level protection that you can have against thieves and burglars. It not only sounds an alarm when somebody is trying to break into your home, but also records video thus making it possible for the burglars to be identified and caught. I recommend periodically checking up on the security system for any kinds of snags (it is an electronic instrument after all) at least two weeks before your vacation. You must remember to change the password every time you’re heading out as it usually gets handed out to different family members and further gets distributed quite frequently. I usually change the password a week before leaving and keep it written down on my mobile. There are many different types of security systems on the market: some of which just require a simple password while others have elaborate CCTV footage that can be reviewed as soon as possible. Adding motion sensors in a hidden capacity acts as an additional layer of security which will activate the cameras as soon as any motion is detected. There should also be a direct connection with local Law Enforcement so that they can be informed as soon as any untoward activity is detected.
Investing in a good set of locks
A proper set of locks on your doors always assures you safety and peace of mind. In India, Harrison’s Locks are one of the really sturdy ones. They have been making these since the last century and are quite difficult to dismantle, making sure that they create quite a ruckus. If you can separate the interior locks of the home from the exterior, give your neighbours an extra set of keys so that they can go in, check around and water the plants if need be.
Make sure it appears as if someone is at home
Someone at home makes for a deterrent for burglars planning to make their attempt. There are quite a few ways to make it appear so. Using timers for switching the lights off and on makes for the most effective way to fool them. Stop your daily subscriptions including magazines, newspapers, mail and even the milk as stacks of paper or bottles of milk lying around makes for a sure shot indication that the home is empty. Another way to confuse the burglars is by asking your neighbour to park their car in your driveway. As the car changes location every day, it makes sure that the invaders are kept on their toes.
Using motion detectors for outdoor lights.
If you’re staying in a standalone building instead of an apartment, using motion sensors for the outdoor lights make sure that burglars planning to hit your home are surprised quite a bit. As soon as the lights come on, it becomes imperative that they plan their escape. Not only do these work when your house is empty, it is also an advantage when you’re alone at home or with the elderly and very young.
Join a Neighbourhood watch
An extra set of eyes never harmed anyone. Joining a neighbourhood watch makes sure that your home has quite a few extra sets of eyes looking over. This makes sure that whenever some suspicious activity is taking place around your home, it is easily identified and the police informed. The neighbourhood watch also makes it easier for your neighbours to visit your home often for doing a few of the chores, making it appear as if your home is not unoccupied.
Whom should you tell?
There are only a few people that you must tell about your trip and a lot of them those who shouldn’t tell at all. You should definitely keep your neighbours informed but definitely be very aware of keeping other staff like the maid and the gardener totally uninformed till the last day. Local law enforcement is a very confusing thing to keep informed. It is definitely good to keep them informed in developed countries while it is quite suspect to keep them informed in developing countries like India where the burglars can usually be hand in hand with the local law enforcement. These are few of the precautions that you must take while heading out on a trip abroad. Do let us know if there are any other precautions that you might need to take care of?
