Keeping Your Home Secure When Traveling

Once you have purchase your dream home, it is necessary to ensure that you take all steps necessary to keep your home secure. It goes without saying that in many ways a person’s home always is vulnerable to burglary. However, a home becomes even more a target for attack by a burglar when a person or family is away from the residence on holiday or for some other reason or purpose.

There are some commonsense steps that you can take to better protect your home while you are away on vacation or on other travels.

House Sitter

One of the best methods of ensuring optimal security to your Tampa residence during a period of absence is by having a trusted friend or family member actually stay in your home while you are aware. Obviously, by having a person actually stay at your residence while you are away, you are able to avoid having the house completely exposed due to the lack of any human presence whatsoever.

Notify Law Enforcement

As a community service, many cities and towns like Tampa and Tampa Bay will increase police patrols in your neighborhood and around your house if you notify them that you will be gone for a period of time, that you will be absent from your home.

Naturally, police patrols -- increased or not -- are rather hit and miss by their very nature. But, of course, an added pass by your house on a given day certainly cannot hurt.

Arrange for Newspaper and Mail Pick-up

It might seem obvious to have the newspaper and mail deliver canceled while you are away, or to have the newspaper and mail picked up in your absence by a trusted friend or family member, many people in haste to leave town forget make such arrangements. Piling newspapers and overflowing mail boxes truly are invitations to burglars.

Lights, Lights and More Lights

Make certain that lights remain burning in your house during the evening hours even in your absence. Timers can be useful devices. Plus, there are timers on the market now that will allow you to have lights in certain rooms of your house come on at different times each evening. While these are a bit more expensive, these do provided an added level of protection.

In this day and age, many a burglar will spend some time staking out a residence before making a move towards entry. Thus, if lights in your house are coming on and going off at the same time every evening, a burglar is going to be able to reasonable assume that you are away, that you are not home.

By following these tips and pointers, you will be able to better enjoy your travels knowing that your Tampa home is secure while you are on the road.

Lance Mohr is a full time licensed broker associate with Keller Williams Realty. He has over 10 years of experience helping families buy and sell real estate, as well is being a real estate investor. If you have any questions about the Tampa Bay Real Estate or Tampa real estate market please visit my website at http://www.tampa2enjoy.com.