Getting ready to set sail for a relaxing summer vacation?  Or, maybe the one you have planned is equal parts high adventure and pool time?  The point is, if you’re going to be away from home for any length of time, you’ll want to make sure that you’ll be coming back to your house the way you left – un-ravaged and otherwise not violated by would-be intruders.

So from our house to yours, here are minimum steps you should take to get your home vacation ready:

• Stop newspaper delivery OR have a neighbor or friend pick up your newspapers around the same time you would. The same goes for your mail.

• Don’t already have deadbolt locks installed at every entrance? This is a great time to beef up your home security on that front.

• If you have sliding glass doors but don’t have the kind of metal bars attached to them that you find at better hotels and resorts, that’s something else you’ll want to get installed.

• Create the illusion that your home is occupied. There are numerous ways to do that, starting with leaving a car in your driveway but having a friend or neighbor park it in different locations to throw a burglar a little curve. You’ll also want lights on during the evening hours even if that means installing automatic timers or, once again, imposing on a close friend to turn them on and off for you at pre-arranged times.

• Don’t broadcast your vacation plans on Facebook and other social media unless you’re 100% sure strangers don’t have access to your pages. And even then, can you ever be 100% sure?

• Don’t leave your key in the mailbox, under your doormat, or anywhere else where it can easily be found. If you trust someone enough to come in and out of your home, trust them with a key they can hang onto while you’re gone.

• Don’t order anything from Amazon or any other delivery service that could potentially be delivered while you’re away. The last thing you need is a package left sitting on your front doorstep or porch practically shouting “No one’s home!”

• Assuming your windows have locks, is that really enough protection against a burglar determined to gain access to your home? You might want to look into installing burglar proof glass at least for those windows that can be accessed without a ladder or other climbing aid.

Don’t already have a home security system?  Well, there’s no better time than now to look into acquiring one.  But as you do, keep this in mind:  the company you engage is more important than the exact security system you have installed.  After all, what good is a home security system without a group of reliable professionals to install, maintain, and monitor it for you?  Virtually no good at all.

For more information and a free in-home quote, contact Now Security Systems today.