Vacation Security Checklist

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Real Estate

Vacation Security Checklist

Before you head out on vacation (or even if you stay), improve your home’s security and your peace of mind with these suggestions:

l Replace broken screens, latches and windowpanes. Secure gates and sheds.

l Trim shrubbery.

l Don’t hide house keys outside.

l In summer, turn off water heater; put A/C at 82 degrees. In winter, leave water heater on cool setting; put thermostat at 50 degrees.

l Toss perishable food.

l Give a neighbor a spare key. Ask them to get mail and newspapers, put trash cans in front of your house on trash day, mow and rake the lawn, and/or park in the driveway.

l Turn off iron, ice-maker, electronics, and phone ringer.

l Leave automatic sprinklers on, put timers on lamps, and install motion-activated lights outside.

l Leave draperies open slightly on upper floors.

l Don’t announce your absence with answering machine messages or notes on the front door.

l Remove garage door openers and house keys from cars.

l Put valuables in a safe-deposit box.

l Call your local police to let them know you’ll be traveling. Some departments send patrols out to your home while you’re away.

l For further peace of mind, prepay your bills so you won't have to worry about them while you're away.