Until a few years back, people in the United States were the most overworked and under rested. However, recent reports indicate otherwise. Most people have started to take some time off from their busy work schedules to enjoy a much needed break. Vacations, they can be refreshing both on the body as well as the mind. Truly, each family deserves to be on a vacation at least once in a year and if you are a frequent globe trotter, then spare a moment for the security of your home. Do you prepare for the security of your home before you leave? Statistics reveal that most burglaries occur when the occupant of the home is away. Is your home waiting to be burgled? What if you are planning to go on a vacation for the first time? Do you know what and how to prepare for the security of your home?

Here are a few security tips and ideas that you can use to protect your valuable assets and your home while you are away on a vacation.

1. Inform only the closest of your relatives and friends about it. It’s exciting to go on a holiday and let as many people know about it. But refrain from doing this. And do not mention about your departure time while you are walking on the street or in a pub. Even a passerby can pick up vital information from seemingly ordinary conversations.
2. Stop the newspaper subscription. A pile of newspapers on the driveway. Now that is an attraction for most burglars. Inform the newspaper office a few days in advance and ensure that the subscription is stopped.
3. Inform the postal carrier: That’s similar to the newspaper subscription. Mail protruding from the mailbox is a strict no-no. And in case you forget, please ask your neighbor to collect the mail from your mailbox. Do not leave any impression that the occupants are away.
4. Inform your neighbor. Your neighbor is your best protection when you are away for a vacation. Inform him about your schedule and you can also leave an emergency phone number where he/she can get in touch with you.
5. Do not leave the hidden key around. There cannot be a worse time for you to leave the hidden key around. If you want to leave the key, then please leave it with a friend, a relative or your neighbor. Do not hide it anywhere outside the home.
6. Ensure that the garage door is locked. Just as you would lock your home, ensure that the garage door is also locked. A lot of people use their garage as a storage shed and it can contain potential tools that can be used to enter the home. It may even contain valuable items or expensive tools that need to be protected.
7. Ensure that you have back up battery for the alarm system. The last thing that you want is a security alarm system that ran out of juice at the most crucial time.
8. Use bright outdoor lighting. You can combine it with motion sensors to make it more effective. A home that is dark both outside as well as inside is definitely empty. Even a child in the first grade could gage that.
9. Create an impression that there is someone at home. Have you watched Home Alone? Remember young Kevin using mannequins and the TV to create an impression that the family is at home? Well, you too can use a few simple tools like a timer and the shades on the windows to create an illusion that the home is occupied. A timer can be used to switch on the lights and switch them off at specific timings. For example, you can program it to switch on when it gets dark outside and switch off at the time that you usually go to bed.
10. Do not record a message in the answering machine that informs callers that you are away. If you use one that is. Keep the normal message as it is.
11. Walk through the home before you leave and check each door and window. Ensure that the locks are functional and each one is securely locked.
12. If there are ordinary locks, then you might consider replacing them with high quality tamper proof ones. Such locks are near impossible to pick and even the key cannot be duplicated.
13. Arrange for the lawn to be mowed. If you are planning to go away for a month or more, then an untrimmed lawn is a sure indicator of this fact. A child in the neighborhood will be more than willing to oblige for some quick cash.
14. Do not store any valuables in the home. Despite taking all the above mentioned precautions, you still don’t want to take any chances. Any valuable jewelry or items of sentimental value should be moved to a safe deposit vault.
15. Inform law enforcement agencies. While this is not really necessary, most people still prefer to do it. It helps the law to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity in or around your home.

Most of these tips are recommended by the home security council. Use them and you should find your home safe and sound when you are back from the vacation.