School’s out for summer and Vacation season has commenced. You and the family are about to head out for a much-needed trip away from the day-to-day. Before you pack up and go, there are some housekeeping items to take care of (outside the usual). These tips will help keep your home safe while everyone’s out of the house.

Don’t Forget the Windows

While you’re obviously going to lock all the doors in the household before you leave for vacation, it’s easy to forget the smaller locks—like the ones on windows. Don’t let it slip your mind and put it as the top priority on the to-do list.

This includes locking every window in the house, including window sills (like in the basement), which can easily be overlooked.

Tame the Social Sharing

Posting pictures of the kids and family life has become part of your daily routine. It’s a mom thing. But telling people exactly where and when you’re going on vacation can pose a threat to your home.

Try your best to keep the social media posts to a minimum leading up to your trip and during. You never know who is on social media with mal-intentions of breaking into an unguarded home.

Keep Valuables in a Safe

Keep personal valuables like jewelry or mementos and important documents such as birth certificates, passports, social security cards and wills in a fire-proof safe. If you don’t have one yet, get one before going on vacation. You never know what could happen while you’re away, so having an added measure of security in the unfortunate event of a burglary or fire at least saves your most valuable possessions.

You never know what could happen while you’re away, so having an added measure of security in the unfortunate event of a burglary or fire at least saves your most valuable possessions.

Get a Pet Sitter

Goldie the goldfish, Hammy the hamster, Rufus the dog—whatever pet you might have, you likely won’t be able to bring them with you on the plane. Instead of dropping off the non-human child of the family to a friend, why not get a pet sitter instead?

By having someone drop by the house a few hours a day, they’ll be able to make the house look like there’s life inside, deterring potential burglars away. At the same time, your pet gets the attention and care it needs. Plus, you’ll have someone to bring in the mail and water the plants.

Install a Home Automation System

Home automation systems can prove to be a sound investment for any family. Especially when you’re out for an extended period of time. Whether it’s closing the garage door remotely from your smartphone after forgetting to shut it or watching home video surveillance at the vacation resort you’re staying at, a home automation system is a go-to security measure.

ADT’s home automation product comes with a pairing app so you can receive notifications of suspicious activity taking place in and around the home as well as unusual fire and smoke detection. Additionally, you can turn on the lights in your house from your phone at certain times of the day to make it appear that someone is there all throughout the duration of your vacation.

Maintain the Yard

A big sign that someone is on vacation is an overgrown lawn. Throw the neighbor boy down the street a few bucks to mow the lawn and trim the bushes. Have him come enough in the span of time that you and the family are away so that the grass is well maintained and shrubs aren’t growing to the extent that they cover the windows.

It’s in your nature to take care of the home whether you’re present in it or away. By following these tips, you can help to ensure that it’s safe and secure and be at ease when you leave for vacation.

The post 6 Ways to Keep Your Home Safe While on Vacation appeared first on Home Jobs by MOM.