Do you remember the movie “Home Alone?” Macaulay Culkin played Kevin in this popular Christmas movie. He was accidentally left alone at home while the family went on vacation, but that’s not the main focus of the movie. The main focus of the movie is how Kevin survives when left alone at home.

Let’s hope that never happens to you or your children, but whether you’re alone at home on any day or the house is left alone while you’re on vacation, take these steps to secure your home so that you can spend your precious time with peace of mind that everything is good back at home.

Get a video doorbell.

Getting a video doorbell is a great idea because if anyone ever steps onto your property or rings the doorbell, you will have immediate access from your smartphone to see who was there. You can even talk to the person in real time.

Additional security cameras can be purchased for around the home to cover whatever areas you are most concerned about. These areas can also be seen from your smartphone. You can also get crime alerts from your neighborhood which is a great feature. We have and highly recommend the “ring” video doorbell & cameras.

Leave your house key with a family member or trusted friend.

This is a great idea because you never know if immediate access to your home is necessary. If you have pets that can stay home and you don’t want them in a shelter, this is the best way to go. Someone can come in to walk the dog and feed the pets.

Make sure you NEVER leave your house key anywhere outside. This is not a safe alternative. Many thieves look around and under things to find a way in. However, if you had a video doorbell, you could see all of this from anywhere you are in the world! Also, have the person who has your key bring in your mail as frequently as possible and those newspapers/flyers that are thrown on your driveway. Leaving these newspapers/flyers on your driveway is basically announcing to the world that no one is home. We are also very fortunate to have a great friend and family member watch our home and pets while we’re gone.

Hire someone to mow your lawn.

I suggest this for two major reasons. First, your lawn won’t be overgrown by the time you get back. This will make your life much easier. And second, if you don’t maintain the upkeep, it’s another sure sign that no one may be home. It basically is a calling card for a break in.

Control your lights.

Control your lights by a remote/timer and have them come on/off at certain times of the evening. The goal here is to have it look like there are people at home. For example, you can have your lights automatically come on when the front door is opened. You can also have the lights dim in the evening before bedtime. This is an added layer of protection!

Be careful what you say on social media.

Honestly, there are many good-hearted people in the world, but it only takes one creeper to ruin your world. Be careful what you say on social media. Do not say you’re away from home! One way to avoid this is to not take a photo and say that you’re having a wonderful time. Also, don’t tag your location.

I understand you want to share your experiences, especially with loved ones. Social media is great with that, but you can always talk & share photos all about your trip once you get home. This is the same with any videos you take while you’re on vacation. Wait until you get home. A countdown on social media of when you’ll be leaving for your cruise, flight, road trip may seem like fun, but you need to think like a burglar. A countdown for your fun trip is a burglar’s itinerary of when they can schedule their next break in. Think smart!

Get a dog.

Ok. Let me be more specific. If you already have a dog, great. But, if you are planning on getting a dog, get a dog whose natural instinct is to protect. We have a German Shepherd and she is the best guard dog ever! She is playful, sweet, and calm when she knows you. However, if she doesn’t know you she will bark her head off until she does. Truth be told, she has scared the living daylights out of many delivery truck drivers!

Hide your valuables.

First of all, why would you even have your valuables visible on any given day?!? This one makes common sense. If you ever have someone you don’t want in your home, you need to make it very hard for them to find your valuables.

Here’s a tip. It might be a good idea to purchase from Amazon the “Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup” stash can! This is a great product because who doesn’t have a multitude of cans in their pantry? If you mix this in with a tiny mark somewhere on the can (so you don’t really accidentally try to open it to cook with-yikes!) then you’ll be good to go.

Fake it.

If you do the bare minimum, at least fake it. Put some fake alarm company signs on your yard. Place some “Beware of Dog” signs around your fence. Place some fake video cameras around the perimeter of your home. A burglar may think twice about coming inside if they think these things are in place. The phrase “working smarter, not harder” really comes in handy here!

Contact your local police station.

This is a wonderful service most police stations or sheriff’s offices graciously provide nowadays for added security especially if you feel uneasy in your own neighborhood. It deters bad news from happening before it happens. Check out this sheriff’s office website about Vacation House Checks. Take a look so you can see what is offered and check with your own local sheriff’s office or police station for more info.

Double check doors and windows.

Before leaving home, double check all the locks on your doors and windows. If you have a sliding glass door, make sure to get a security bar. This is great for unwanted guests and an extra security measure for your young children to keep them from wandering outside.

This may sound strange, but if you’re used to keeping your blinds open keep them open while you’re gone. You want to avoid any kind of change, abnormality, or irregularity. But, if you’re used to keeping them closed or you’re someone that sometimes the blinds are open and other times they’re closed, then keep them closed. The point is to not make it obvious that you’re not home.

Have you ever tried any of these tips? Even though it may be an unpleasant memory, did any of these or perhaps other security measures not mentioned here ever come in handy? I can tell you, that numbers 1 and 6 have come in handy a few times for us so far!