If you’re planning a trip away from home, it’s important to secure your house. While you’re gone, burglars may target homes that appear to be unoccupied.
A few simple tips can help you make your house less attractive to burglars. These can include:
Don’t broadcast your trip.
Unless you’re in the business of spying on other people, you should leave your Facebook and Instagram to the sidelines, at least when you’re on the go. The best way to secure your social media crown jewels is to keep your posts on a tight leash. Luckily, most major social networks have a mobile app for when you need a little privacy. This is especially true for family members who travel frequently or have multiple homes. Be sure to check your notifications and alerts as needed. This will likely save you from any embarrassing mishaps. The above mentioned aforementioned app is available for free via the App Store and Google Play.
Hide your GPS devices.
You probably bring a lot of electronics with you on trips. Whether it’s a smartphone, laptop, tablet, cellular hotspot, or dedicated GPS device, each of these devices is an attractive target for thieves.
One of the most important things you can do to prevent theft or unauthorized use of your vehicle is hide your GPS device. Thankfully, there are many places to hide a GPS tracking device inside your car that thieves won’t notice or be able to locate.
A good place to hide a GPS tracker is underneath the dashboard of your vehicle. This area is not usually seen by most drivers, and it offers strong satellite signal strength.
Don’t let your luggage out of your sight.
One of the most important things to do while traveling is keep your bags in view at all times. Whether you are a frequent flyer or just taking a short trip, it is crucial to be able to see where your stuff is at all times.
The best way to do this is by keeping your luggage off the ground. Hanging your bags on pegs or hooks above the ceiling is a great way to save space while still providing easy access.
Let your friends and family know where you’re going.
You may have a vacation planned with family and friends, but that doesn’t mean you should leave your home unattended. That can be dangerous, especially during peak summer months, when burglaries tend to increase.
One way to keep your home secure is to let your neighbors and friends know where you’re going. This will help them be on the lookout for anything suspicious, such as a car left parked in the driveway or mail that’s been sitting on the front porch for a long time.
In addition, you should also make copies of your travel documents, like passports, visas and credit cards. These copies should be stored in your home or with a trusted person.
Be aware of your surroundings.
When you’re traveling, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings. Not only will this help to keep you safe, but it’ll also give you an opportunity to spot potential dangers.
Whether you’re on a city bus, train, or walking down the street, it’s crucial to stay aware of your surroundings and look around. This will help to keep you safe from theft or other threats, such as terrorist attacks.
Another way to be more aware of your surroundings is to travel in groups. Groups of people are more intimidating to thieves, and are less likely to be targeted. Larger groups can also provide more visibility for other travelers. This is especially helpful when you’re out and about in unfamiliar areas at night. It’s also a great idea to have a safety plan in place if you do ever find yourself in an unsafe situation.
