Are you leaving for that dream vacation or weekend getaway?

Well, before you lock the doors, you need to make sure that your place is secure before you go. By knowing a couple of home security tips and tricks, you can secure your belongings, thwart out any malicious individuals, and increase the security of your home.

Knowing these things is essential when you are away for your trip. So, take a closer look at your property to see what changes it needs or if there are a couple of essential things you might miss.

1. Keep valuables safe

If you don’t have your valuable items in a safety deposit box, now is the time to do so.

This ensures that you don’t leave out anything important or valuable lying around, in plain sight where a potential thief can see from the window.

2. Avoid public indications

If you plan to go on a vacation or a trip, don’t announce it beforehand.

Although we live in a highly digital society that loves to overshare, thieves love it as well. Posting an update on Facebook, saying that you can’t wait to go on a weeklong trip abroad is usually a signal for thieves that the house is empty. The same thing goes when you post a tweet that you’ve just arrived at the airport.

So, save all those updates and photos after you return. If you are gone for an extended period, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up the mail, flyers, or newspapers. That way, it won’t pile up at your door.

Malicious individuals will immediately take notice of whether your place is empty.

3. Secure all entry points

While this might be a rather obvious tip to mention, do you know that 32% of burglars and thieves enter via an unlocked door?

Your windows can also be your house’s weak point, so ensure that all of them are locked and closed before you leave, even on the upper floors.

If a burglar is smart, they can still access it. Also, an open window in your home might let it animals, rain, or wind that can damage your property.

4. Invest in a monitoring system

The security of your home is vital. That’s why you need to invest in a high-quality home monitoring service.

Just make sure that you pick one that’s tailored for you. Even home security systems allow you to view a live video remotely, even from your phone.

That way, you’ll know and see what’s happening in real-time. It is a relatively small investment that can help you gain peace of mind in the long run.

5. Unplug all electronics

Thieves and burglars aren’t the only ones that can be a hazard to your home. If you’re leaving home for a couple of days or weeks, then make sure that you unplug your appliances while you’re gone.

Not only that, it keeps the costs down, but it can prevent fire and other damages to your property as well.

6. Change locks if needed

If you just purchased a home or just moved into your apartment, one of the first things you need to do is meet the locksmith. At this point, you don’t have a clue who has the key to your home and just waiting for the right moment to use it and a break-in.

So, if you’ve severed ties, or underwent a break-up just recently, then you might want to consider changing locks. Although that person might give you back the key, you’ll never know if there are copies of it out there.

Changing locks will give you peace of mind.

7. Don’t leave your spare keys

If you have a spare key that’s hidden somewhere, whether it’s attached to a mailbox, under the mat, or wherever it is, don’t leave them lying there.

Now is the perfect time to retrieve them and stow them away. For instance, if a burglar knows that you’re gone, they can take their time looking for possible hiding places for your spare keys.

They also probably know the most common hiding spots better as you. So you won’t be fooling them.

8. Install security cameras

To secure your home, place a handful of security cameras both inside and outside your property. Doing so makes a significant difference in catching a perpetrator.

You can get a security camera, for instance, that’s motion activated. That way, it can send photos or even video clips to your smartphone so that you can take immediate action.

Installing these security cameras around your property allows you to drop in remotely.

These real-time cameras and live streams will enable you to know what’s currently happening in your home. Keeping in mind the tips listed above, you can have a stress-free vacation. That’s because you know that you can secure your house and your belongings before you embark on your trip.