Whether you’re taking the vacation of a lifetime or just a long weekend on the road, make sure that your homestead is safe while you’re away. After all, it’s hard to fully enjoy yourself when you’re worried about your stuff!

by Jan Roland

You always wanted to travel more, but with the kids, a tight work schedule and then a pandemic, it just wasn’t possible. But now you are empty-nesting and have earned more vacation time. So what’s a responsible empty nester to do? Take an Easy Rider trip you couldn’t do 40+ years ago.

Today, travelers face different threats than Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper did. You need to be concerned about protecting your home while away.

Did you know that there are more than two million burglaries each year (Insurance Information Institute) and that thieves love to hit when no one is home?

So try these tools to keep your possessions safely at home while you’re cruising the coast or enjoying the beaches of Maui.

Don’t Let Stuff Pile Up

You probably already know not to let mail — or newspapers if you still get one — stack up. Even dumb criminals notice that the mailbox hasn’t been emptied for days and that newspapers are scattered over the lawn. Ideally you can have a neighbor pick them up on a daily basis. If you don’t have a trusted neighbor, you should have delivery stopped while you’re away.

The same thing is true for any packages. You’re smart enough not to buy items for delivery while you’re gone, but do you have anything that comes automatically on a regular basis? Make sure that you stop delivery or have them picked up.

Take Out the Trash

When we were young, the Coasters told us to take out the papers and the trash. When traveling, we still need to do that. Just as thieves notice an overflowing mailbox, they also notice what’s not happening.

If your trashcan isn’t curbside on consecutive pickup days, the bad guys will figure you’re not home. Ask your neighbor to put their trash in your can and drag it out to the curb.

Don’t Announce Your Absence on Social Media

Be careful what you say and post online. More of us are enjoying Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. It’s fun to tweet that you’re having coffee on the Santa Monica Pier. It’s even more fun to post a picture to your Facebook or Pinterest account. But, if you do, you’ve informed the whole world that you’re not home.

Your friends will be happy for you and retweet or like your post. Burglars will look up your address and steal your stuff.

Related: 8 Social Media Posts That Can Cost You

Let There Be Light

When we were making out in the day, we always looked for a secluded place with only the moonlight to illuminate the night. Burglars have a different goal, but like the same conditions. They don’t want to be seen, so they look for a home that’s clothed in darkness. They’ll avoid houses that are well lit at night.

You should have outdoor lighting around windows and doors. Timers that turn on lights from dusk to dawn are best. But even if you have to leave a light burning 24/7, it’ll only cost pennies. These are pennies that could save you big bucks when you don’t have to replace your stuff.

Time your inside lights. You can buy timers for just a few dollars. Make your home look lived in. Turn on a family room light at 5PM and off when you normally go to bed. Especially for rooms with windows that can be seen from the street, set lights in other rooms to mimic when you’re at home.

Don’t Let the Lawn Give You Away

Make sure your lawn is cared for. Depending on the season, you may need to have the grass cut. In winter, make sure the snow is shoveled. You wouldn’t ignore either if you were at home. Grass that’s not mowed or snow that’s not shoveled is a magnet for bad guys.

Related: A Burglar Reveals 15 Trade Secrets

Consider a Security System

Perhaps a security system is the right option for you. When we were kids, everyone watched out for their neighborhood. It would have been hard for a stranger to enter the Beaver’s home.

Unfortunately, that’s not generally true anymore, so you might want to consider getting a security system for your home. The newer systems are easier to install and cost less than what was available just a few years ago. Some even allow you to monitor and control your home over the internet with alerts sent to your phone.

Consider Getting a House Sitter

Finally, if you’re going to be gone for more than a few days, consider getting a house sitter. With one, you don’t need to fool the burglars. There is someone staying in the house that could catch them. Ideally you can find a friend for the job.

You do want to be careful giving the keys to a stranger. Having some college student throw a toga party could be worse than being robbed!

Whether you’re taking the vacation of a lifetime in Maui or that cross country trip on your new Harley bagger, make sure that your homestead is safe while you’re away. After all, it’s hard being Peter Fonda cool when you’re worried about your stuff!

• Budgeting for Travel as Part of Your Retirement Planning
• 7 Low Cost Home Security Tactics
• Should We Rent Out Our Home While We’re on Vacation?

Reviewed May 2024