Your holiday home is where you de-stress when life at your main residence becomes too hectic. In purchasing a separate residence, you double your security worries, as you won’t be at one for several months of the year.
Keeping your holiday home secure doesn’t have to be stressful.
Lock Up
This is security advice that is offered time and again, but homeowners continue to leave windows and doors unlocked. This is the first line of defense against burglars.
You can also prevent people who “borrow” holiday homes from staying in yours.
Install An Alarm System
There are two ways you can do this. The more cost-effective one is to download a security app and buy and install some security cameras. This will allow you to monitor what’s going on at your holiday property from your main residence.
The second is to pay a security company to do this for you. The key is the property must be monitored. Once anyone watching your holiday home has a clue that the cameras only record or are there for show, they’ve lost their power as a deterrent.
Have Local Law Enforcement Patrol
Regular patrols by law enforcement have been known to deter criminal activity.
Talk with the district police at your holiday home’s location to see if they can arrange to pass by it as part of their schedule.
In smaller towns, you may even be able to have the police inspect your home.
If your holiday property is part of a park or paid residential district, let the administrator know when you’re not in residence so they can arrange additional security.
Get To Know Your Neighbors
Neighbors are those extra pairs of eyes on your property. It won’t hurt to get to know your neighbors while you’re in town holidaying.
You can learn interesting details about their area’s history. You can also begin building the relationships that will protect your home from burglars. People who know each other are more inclined to look out for each other.
Have someone periodically do maintenance checks
Hiring someone local to do repairs on your home serves two purposes. Your home is kept in a good state and there are going to be signs that someone visits the property regularly. Both deter criminals.
It would be even better if they could stay on the property a few nights a week. This way, the property looks lived in.
Take Valuables With You
Take all enticements to rob your holiday home with you when your vacation is over. If you need to stay in contact with work, you may bring your laptop with you. You may even bring a camera to take some pictures.
When you’re leaving, make sure these leave with you. Nothing will attract burglars to your vacation home like knowing there are easy-to-sell items, in an unguarded, empty home.
Don’t Leave Spare Keys In An Easily Accessible Area
This isn’t something you would do at your main residence. Why do it at the holiday home you’re not going to be at most of the year?
Leave spare keys with a trusted neighbor or the police in case they need to enter the property.
Keyless locks are also an option. These feature a keypad that allows you to enter a code to unlock doors or windows.
Pay Attention To Landscaping
Just as you wouldn’t allow your holiday home to look rundown, the yard and vegetation around your property also need attention.
Proper maintenance ensures that there is nowhere for potential burglars to hide and observe the comings and goings (or lack thereof) at your home.
We can help you select the right locks to secure your holiday home. Ask about what we can do. Contact us at 305-984-9922.