Vacation Without Worry

by | Dec 2, 2019 | For Homeowners

Vacations should be fun and relaxing, a time to recharge your batteries and clear your mind. Whether you prefer digging your toes in the sand in Belize or hiking in Canada, these relaxing breaks make all that hard work throughout the same year seem totally worth it. In 2020, more than 53 million Americans are planning a Memorial Day getaway.

But sometimes, vacation seems to cause as much stress as it relieves. Whether you’re traveling alone or with the family, there are plans to map out, weather to account for, flight delays, lost luggage, TSA checks, and the list goes on.
 
Quite frequently, the stress centers around what you are leaving behind, like work, pets, and bills. And of course, the big one we think about at Shield Home Watch Services all the time: Will my home be secure while I’m gone?
 
Take Back Your Vacation
If you find yourself pestered by that question when summer vacation rolls around, you’re not alone. And to an extent, it’s a valid concern. According to FBI data, household burglary rates are 9% higher in summer compared to winter. Who wants to think about that before snorkeling in the Caribbean.
No amount of preparation can prevent any and all events. But beyond professionally monitored home security, there are simple precautions you can take to help secure your home and deter burglars before you travel.
 
For total peace of mind contact us to schedule a free home watch consultation or using our booking site to schedule an appointment 24 hours a day.

Here’s a checklist to run through before you take off:

Security System

Tell your security monitoring company that you will be traveling, and test your system before you leave. Make sure you coordinate any temporary codes with your home watch company or vendors (take a look at our key holder services if someone needs access to your home while you are gone).

Garage

Unplug your garage door so it can’t be opened with a universal remote. Also, lock the door between your home and garage in case someone does get in through the garage door.

Heating and Cooling

Set your air conditioner to a higher temperature, but not off. You don’t want to waste energy, but you don’t want too much moisture and humidity to build up.

Pets

Arrange care for your pet and provide detailed instructions. Make sure your pet’s ID tags are up-to-date, and the doggy door is locked up tight. If the animal can be left for long periods of time please contact us to add additional pet monitoring services.

Landscaping

Mow your lawn and trim back any hedges so your home looks actively tended. If you have home security, put your yard sign on display!

Spare Keys

If you’re not already using our keyless smart lock, move any outdoor spares somewhere safe.

Social Media

Resist the urge to post about your trip on social media. Wait until you get home to share photos.

Mail

Suspend mail and newspaper delivery or arrange for a friend or neighbor to collect deliveries. An overflowing mailbox is an obvious sign no one’s home.

Lights

If you have connected lighting, set a schedule for the lights to turn on at a certain time so it looks like someone’s home. If the lighting is connected to the internet we recommend working with the company (Phillips Hue, Insteon, etc) to program lights to come on at semi-random times (prevents thieves from learning your light schedule).

Doors and Windows

Lock all doors and windows. Shades and blinds should be just partly open to give the home a lived-in look. Keep valuables out of sight to discourage “window shopping.”

Food and Fridge

Clean out your fridge and throw away anything that might go bad while you’re away. You can also bump up the temperature (both fridge and freezer) a bit to save energy and ensure the fridge doesn’t blow a circuit.

Car/Parking

If you’re leaving your car in long-term parking, make sure you remove any GPS devices. You may have important information programmed into these devices. We also recommend that you change the house address in your cars GPS (if it cannot be removed from the car) to a location very close to your home. We also recommend you remove garage door openers from the vehicle (or lock it in the glove box).

Electronics

Turn off and unplug small kitchen appliances, computers, and TVs. They waste energy just by being plugged in and some are susceptible to power surges.

Call us at (941) 735-4405 or visit Shield Home Watch to learn about home watch, key holding service, concierge services, and more. If you would like to book an appointment 24 hours a day please visit our booking site.

Nicholas Stephan Lemmon (Owner) - Home Watch Services and Concierge Services offered by Shied Home Watch

Nicholas Lemmon is the founder of Shield Home Watch in Bradenton, FL, and a certified project management professional with over a decade of operational leadership experience. With a background in healthcare, real estate, and property oversight, Nicholas specializes in protecting high-value homes through proactive home watch, concierge, and commercial property services. He is committed to delivering peace of mind to clients across Manatee and Sarasota Counties through a blend of personalized care and smart technology. Accredited member of the National Home Watch Association.

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Absentee Homeowner Services | Concierge | Home Concierge | Home Watch | House Check | House Watch | Personal Property Management | Property Management | Property Watch | Vacation Home | Vacation Home Concierge

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