Preparing Your Home for Vacations
There are two ways to prepare your home for vacations. The first way involves you going on vacation, and the second way pertains to those who are coming to your home to vacation. Two totally different things…two different ways to prepare.
Vacation Rentals
There are several home and room rental communities out there these days (Airbnb happens to be our drug of choice right now), and if you are interested in renting out your home for a night, week or month, then you are going to have to put a little technology into your home to make it top pick. After all, tourists have tons of places to choose from. A house that has a home theater, motion sensors throughout, optimal lighting, outside entertaining, and surround sound…all of it controlled with a touch of a button or with a swipe of the phone…now, that is a house that’s always booked!
However, what we really want to talk about is the way that everybody wants to prepare for a vacation!
Vacation-Proofing” Your House before you go on Vacation
You’ve packed your suitcase and booked your itinerary, but before you board the plane, take the time to protect your home while you’re on vacation. The summer time months are when home burglaries peak most.
To fully enjoy your trip, here’s a checklist that may help:
Home security system: Your first line of defense against burglary is a home security system that includes door and window sensors. Custom Audio Video can even install motion sensors throughout your home. Be sure to get a system that will allow you to monitor from a remote location. Obviously, you want to try to make sure that the alarm is set before you leave, but if you have a smart security system, then that won’t matter.
Security Sensors: Most modern home security systems have the option to monitor not only when someone enters your property but also if it’s Mother Nature doing the invading. Flood sensors can detect changes in moisture levels of the air, which can indicate broken pipes or appliances.
Security cameras: A handful of well-placed security cameras both inside and outside can mean the difference between catching a perpetrator or not. It’s important to get a security camera that is activated by motion as well as one that will send alerts and video clips to your smartphone. A camera like that will also give you the ability to live stream remotely.
Add a smart lock to your door: A smart door lock lets you unlock your door remotely from your smartphone and grant temporary access with expiring codes. For instance, if you have a neighbor checking in on the house or a pet sitter coming to take care of the dogs, it would set your mind at ease if you could keep track of who is going in and when. Spare keys would also no longer be an issue.
Install a video doorbell: A video doorbell allows you to answer your front door from anywhere. Each time someone rings the doorbell, you’ll get an alert on your phone so you can see and speak to the visitor in real time. If you’re out of cell service on the beach or hacking through the jungle, you can still access a log of video clips later. Some models also have motion detection capabilities, so you’ll still get an alert even if the person doesn’t actually ring the bell. They’re also handy for catching package thieves and spreading the word around the neighborhood.
Interior Lights: Set timers on interior lights. This goes a long way in deterring burglars who often look for crimes of opportunity. Don’t allow your house to appear as if no one is home.
Set the HVAC: When you’re gone, there’s no use heating or cooling an empty house to a comfortable temperature, but you don’t want to turn your system off entirely, either. With a programmable thermostat, you can set a schedule ahead of time so your house will be back to a comfortable temperature by the time you return home. Even better, get a smart thermostat so you can check in on your home’s temperature from afar and make adjustments if needed.
Outdoor Security Lights: When looking for a way inside, burglars are more likely to go for areas that are dark and hidden from the neighbors’ view. You can illuminate these hiding spots by installing outdoor security lights in burglary-prone areas such as the back door or sides of the house.
Above all else, an unoccupied home must simulate human presence, despite the fact that no one is home. So, before you go on your next vacation, call us and ask us about the ways that we can “Vacation Proof” your home.
