Summer travel season is here, and here in Central Florida, our Facebook feeds are full of friends abroad and up North, escaping the summer heat. It’s easy to get all caught up in travel planning, packing and making arrangements for pets, but don’t neglect your home security when you go on a trip. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, home break-ins increase by 11% in the summertime. Keep this checklist handy to keep your Central Florida home safe from burglary this summer.
Shore Up Entryways
Doors and windows are the most vulnerable spots for break-ins. Make sure they’re all locked before you leave on vacation, and if you have the time, add some security features to strengthen their defenses. Hollow doors are easy targets for thieves, so replace them with solid wood. Deadbolts go a long way towards keeping burglars out, but make sure to choose keyed ones to the bad guys can’t break a window then reach in and turn the lock. Keep sliding glass doors from being forced open by placing a wooden or metal stick between the wall and the end of the door. And don’t forget your garage door: unplug it so thieves can’t use a universal remote control to open it up.
Skip the Spare Key
Sure, spare keys are convenient when you get locked out or need to give access to someone that doesn’t have the key. But they’re just not worth the risk: over 30 percent of burglaries take place using a “hidden” key that a thief finds outside the property. Instead, consider an electronic key safe or lockbox, or leave a key with a trusted neighbor.
Fool them Out
Burglars do their homework before choosing a home to victimize, walking and driving around neighborhoods to look for signs of vacancy. The last thing they want is to have their thievery interrupted by a homeowner, so they want to make sure you’re not home. Make your home look lived in with lights on timers and hire someone to keep up on lawn maintenance. Have a neighbor watch out for packages and advertisements, a pile of those tree trimming flyers and religious tracts on the porch is a sure sign that no one’s home. It’s also helpful to have a neighbor bring your trash can to the curb and back on collection days, making the home look lived in.
Try New Tech
There are so many new ways to set up your home for safety these days. Video doorbells like Ring and Nest take video of everyone who comes to your door. These can also be linked in with neighbors so you can get a warning if there’s a suspicious person lurking on your street. Over 90% of burglars knock on the front door before they rob a house, so having a video of strangers who come to your door can be very helpful. You use an app to can check the video even when on the road, increasing your peace of mind. Advanced security systems with motion detecting lights and cameras, automated interior lights, and audible alarms can make a big difference as well.
Here at Apex Security, our team of security experts protects homeowners in neighborhoods all over Central Florida. Secure your home and our team will keep an eye on things, keeping your home and possessions safe. Take care of these easy precautions and you can enjoy a stress-free vacation, knowing your household is secure.