Each year, over 100 million American families go on vacation. For most people, going on vacation is something they do to leave the stress of daily life behind. The key to having a great vacation experience is proper planning.

Not only will you need to book travel accommodations early on, you will also need to focus on keeping your home safe while you are away. Unfortunately, being gone from home for extended periods of time can leave your residence vulnerable.

Before you head off on your family vacation, consider the checklist below to keep your home safe and secure.

Install Security Cameras

Security cameras are a great way to protect your home on a daily basis, not just when you are away on vacation.  Before leaving on your trip, make sure that everything is in working order and be sure that your security cameras are viewable from the internet or mobile device.

Don’t Forget to Turn On Your Security Alarm

One of the best investments a homeowner can make is in a modern security alarm system. These systems are designed to keep burglars at bay with the help of sensors and around the clock monitoring. The only way these systems can fully protect your home while you are away is if they are turned on.

Most homeowners use the armed stay settings on their alarm while they are in the residence. This allows them to move around the home without setting off the alarm. However, when you go on vacation, you will need to turn on the armed away feature to detect any potential burglary attempts.

Inspect and Lock Your Windows

The first thing burglars will check on a home they are attempting to rob is the windows. Some homeowners neglect to check to see if their windows are locked on a regular basis. This can lead to them being left open.

This is why you need to perform an in-depth inspection of your home’s windows before leaving on vacation. If you notice any problems that would prevent the windows from working properly, you need to call in professionals to lend a hand. With their help, you can get these problems fixed quickly and correctly.

Hide All Valuable Items

The last thing you want a burglar to see when they peep through your windows is lots of valuable items. The more valuable items they see, the more likely they are to try and break in. The best way to avoid this problem is by making a conscious effort to remove these items from a burglar’s line of sight.

Hiding things like jewelry boxes and other valuables in closets or cabinets is a good idea. While this will require a lot of hard work, it will be worth it in the long run. The harder your valuables are to see from the windows of the home, the less danger you will ultimately be in.

Reach Out To Professionals For Help

Are you trying to get your home security alarm tested before you go on vacation? If so, contacting a reputable and knowledgeable security company for help is essential. They will be able to put your system through the paces to ensure it works properly.