Vacations should be a time to relax - worrying about your home security is rarely conducive to being able to finally unwind. At the same time, your home and everything in it is at their most vulnerable when you aren't around to keep an eye on them. Thankfully, if you take the time to prepare your home security and safely stow your valuables before you leave, you'll be able to relax without any worries. This blog will go over how to secure your home while on vacation. That way, you can focus on your fun in the sun, and not on non-vacation (and therefore, non-important) things.

CUT BACK ON SOCIAL MEDIA BOASTING

We get it. This is 2021. Social media has programmed all of us to want to showboat with everything we do, from every meal to every vacation. However, by posting blatantly about your every movement, you're basically providing a free advertisement to burglars. "Come and rob me! I'm not home!" While you might find it unlikely that a burglar is following you on Instagram, statistics show that most burglars at least somewhat know their targets. Just share your vacation plans with only your closest friends and family, and keep your home safe from any social media snoops.

BE ALARMED - IN A GOOD WAY

It goes without saying that an alarm system is a good idea. It also goes without saying that if you forget to arm it before you go on vacation, it's not going to be doing a lot for your home security.
However, there's more to a home security system than just getting alarms installed. If you want to go the extra mile, you can invest in a home monitoring system. This includes security cameras and motion sensors that allow you to remotely tell if anyone is accessing your home through mobile apps - even from your vacation destination. You can expand this level of information with Mycube products, such as the iCube. This clever safe will give you a tamper alert if anyone messes with it, no matter where they are. It's also always a good idea to inform your alarm company that you are going to be out of the house. This allows them to better react to any situations that might arise while you're travelling abroad. It can also be worth it to advertise your security system. Burglars prefer to go for easier targets, and by making it clear that your house is a tough nut to crack, they'll often decide to ply their trade elsewhere.

LOCK AND LOAD (YOUR BAGS)

It just takes one unlocked door or open window to ruin your entire home security set up. It might seem to be a pain, but it's absolutely worth it to do a full double check of your home to see if there's anything you forgot. One common place that people forget to secure is the garage - make sure it's locked up as well. If it's automatic, you might want to disable it while you're on vacation. If you have an older garage opening system, it's particularly vulnerable to tampering. Also be careful with where you leave your keys. You might want to leave a way to get in for a neighbor and friend. Burglars are, however, pretty tuned into cliches and will know where to look for your hidden keys. Under a door mat isn't going to cut it. It's a good idea to leave the keys directly with a neighbor - or better yet get an actual house sitter.

MASTER THE ARTS OF DECEPTION

The house sitter mentioned above is one of the best ways to protect your home by making it appear lived in. Of course, there are even more ways for the subtle homeowner to put on a masquerade. Some might still remember the trick of getting newspapers delivered and then picked up - but not everyone gets print media these days. For the more hi-tech among us, smart lighting is a better way to create the illusion of occupation. These systems can turn your lights off and on remotely, by schedule, and make it appear that the household is still going about their daily routine. Even if you don't get a full on housesitter, it can be worth it to have a neighbor or gardener service to come by and tend to the lawns and outside of the house, if relevant. This is another way to make it look like everything is going along as normal, and that your house is a poor target for burglary.

PLAY IT SAFE

It might be that despite all your attempts at security and misdirection, that someone ends up checking out the interior of your house. This could mean peering through a window, or actually walking through your rooms, taking an inventory of what they want to take. Burglars value speed, and will take what is most readily apparent. Some things you can replace. Some things are, however, irreplaceable, such as important documents or heirloom jewelry. Having a jewelry safe for home can prevent irreplaceable losses. We've already mentioned the iCube for its smart nature, but it is, like all our products, incredibly secure as well. With no obvious code input, it's certain to baffle any intruders. The only way to open it is by the secure App (which you control) and by key (which you can take with you or give to a friend). One last piece of advice - we've mentioned burglary as a major concern here, but there are other threats that you should make sure to prevent before you enjoy your off-time. Make sure to shut off water and gas, to prevent damaging flooding or house fires. It can be a good idea to invest in fireproof safes for really sensitive items, such as old family letters or important documents. Better safe than sorry, after all! It can be a process going through all these steps. But it will be worth it when you're giving 100% of your attention to your vacation, and not worrying about where everything is back home. So sit back, relax, and take your well deserved break - let us handle your most valued items.