The word summer more often than not goes hand in hand with the word vacation. After months of saving up and budgeting, millions of people mark down the days on their calendar until the big day, the day they depart on vacation, arrives. However, taking a trip requires a 
certain amount of preparation and care to ensure everything runs smoothly at home while away.
Better to be Safe than Sorry
The chances of your home being burglarized while you are on vacation are slim, but it is always better to take precautions ahead of time to protect your home. With sharing personal information via social media being a major part of the way society communicates, potential burglars have a wealth of information at their fingertips. Take care to avoid posting travel dates and times in public forums. Save sharing your vacation pictures at Caesars Palace for when you return home rather than while you are away.
Consider Getting a House Sitter
If you are going to be gone for more than a few days, getting a house sitter is worth considering, or ask for a trusted neighbor to keep an eye out for suspicious activity near your home while you are away. They can bring in mail, water plants, and turn on exterior lights each evening to deter burglars. You can eliminate the costs of boarding pets by having someone come by and feed them. If there is no one who can help, it’s best to put your mail delivery on hold and stop your newspaper service while you are gone. It’s important to make the residence look lived in. Piles of newspaper at the end of the driveway scream your absence.
Don’t Forget Last Minute Precautions
It’s easy to rush about before departing and forget to do the small things that make a big difference. Check that all windows and doors are locked, all appliances are unplugged, and that any automatic light timers are set correctly. Be sure to leave contact info with family or friends so that they can contact you in the event of an emergency.
Now that your home is as prepared as it can be, it’s time to pack your suitcase and hit the road. Don’t forget important travel documents, your wallet, and the keys! Do you already have vacation plans this year? My favorite vacation is the beach, and I would go there every year if I could, but the family likes to mix it up a bit. Do you vacation the same spots or do you visit different places each time you venture out?