Even if your trip prep record is a mile, taking the time to go through a few additional actions to ensure your property is well cared for can bring a lot of peace of mind. Installing a house security system might be the very first thing you think of, but there are plenty of smaller measures you can take that are equally (or even more) effective in deterring theft.

Here are 10 things you can do to ensure your house is safe and sound, and also you are able to enjoy your trip without worry.

Peter A. Sellar – Architectural Photographer

1. Tell neighbors you’ll be away. Even when you rarely talk with your neighbors, then it’s very important to provide them a heads-up when you are leaving town for a week or even longer. If you have a fantastic relationship with a neighbor, think about leaving a copy of your key in case of emergency — or at least your contact information as you’re away and the phone number of someone locally who has a key.

Consider twice, however, before sharing particular details about your trip on social media or via a site. I know plenty of people do, and nothing comes of it, but file this under “Better safe than sorry.”

Susan Teare

2. Use light timers and motion detectors. Giving the impression that your house is occupied is one of the surest ways to discourage theft. Pick up a basic light timer at the hardware store and program your inside lights to flick on for several hours every evening — you can also place the TV to turn on too.

If you don’t have motion-sensitive lights outside (front, side and back), consider installing them until you leave. If you already have them, then make sure the bulbs work until you proceed.

3. Employ a pet sitter or house sitter. Better than creating the appearance of someone staying in the home is someone really remaining in the home. Hiring a pet sitter to stop by once or twice each day is a intelligent choice. Not only will your pet be happier at home than at a kennel, however, your home will be looked after too — most pet sitters will gladly bring in the mail and water several crops.

No pets? Consider doing a swap with a friend or relative in the area — he or she watches your home this moment, and you return the favor later on. Or hire a professional house sitter.

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4. Lock up. It sounds almost too simple to mention. But really, it’s all too easy to neglect to latch all of those less frequently used doors and windows in the rush to grab a plane. Compose a big note and stick it close to your car keys as a reminder to perform a comprehensive lockup before leaving.

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5. Secure sliding glass. Sliding glass doors and windows require particular care to be really secure. Luckily the fix is an easy one; just cut a wooden pole or thick dowel to fit in the groove of these tracks once the door is closed, and put it in until you leave. This will not stop someone from shattering the glass, but it will make your house a less desirable goal.

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6. Maintain the look of routines. If you’ll be away for more than a week, see if one of your neighbors can deliver your garbage and recycling bins outside to you and back within the following moment.

Additionally, do not let mail pile up on the porch; have the postal service hold your mail for up to 30 days instead. You can fill out the form online here, and that means you don’t even need to step foot at the post office in this hectic time. Likewise for newspapers — contact your newspaper carrier to suspend service when you are gone.

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7. Keep shrubs and trees trimmed for visibility. Make it more difficult for a person to break in unnoticed by keeping trees and hedges trimmed back. Ideally, all doors and windows should be visible, with little room for a individual to duck down and hide.

Susan Teare, Professional Photographer

8. Keep this snow or lawn service coming. Not just is it a relief to come home to a shoveled route and tidy lawn, but keeping up a normal amount of maintenance will help give your home a lived-in look as you are gone.

Taste Design Inc

9. Move valuables away from windows. You may choose to leave a few colors open, since it can look rather odd to see a home all closed up if that is not your norm. But, do be mindful of what is visible from those open colors when someone is peering in from the exterior. Laptops, flat-screen TVs and other expensive gear within reach of a window create an easy mark for a smash-and-grab-type burglar.

RTA Studio Residential Architects

10. Ask a person to check in every now and then. If you don’t have a home sitter (or especially conscientious neighbors), ask someone you know to at least drive by every now and again to ensure everything is OK. Give this friend a secret so he or she can throw any packages or flyers from the porch within the doorway. Remember, even if you have the postal service hold your email, you might still receive packages from other carriers.

And if you reside in a cold area, it’s a good idea to have a friend come by to flush toilets and operate the taps every now and again to check for and prevent freezing pipes.

More: How to use technology to Receive stolen valuables back

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