A TX Vacation home can offer a great escape from everyday routine. However, it can be tricky to maintain a safe and secure home when you are not around to keep an eye on it. Vacation homes are at much higher risk of burglary, vandalism, and trespassing since they are often vacant for long periods. Unfortunately, people don’t put too much thought into the proper protection of their vacation home until after a break-in or burglary has already taken place. Do not let this investment remain unprotected.
Take advantage of these tips to help keep your TX vacation home safe.
Secure Windows and Doors
As obvious as it may seem, all too often, vacation homes get broken into due to simply leaving a window or door unlocked. Entryways equipped with keyless locks offer a great deterrent from potential intruders. Those with sliding glass doors should lock them with a security bar.
Do a thorough inspection walking around your house to check every window and door. Make sure that screens are intact and any ladders are safely put away. If there are pet doors that can be accessed from the outside, remember to lock them up, including any basement doors and external structures such as sheds or garden houses.
Install Security System
Don’t underestimate the power of a security system. Consider installing motion-sensor lights so that walkways, windows, and entryways are well lit. This will help keep thieves away as they will likely go elsewhere if your house lights up upon their approach.
Timers for indoor lights also give the impression that there is activity in the house, even if you’re far away. Automated home security systems will allow you to control a wide variety of home devices such as door locks, lights, and cameras via smartphone or computer. Even simply mounting cameras on the outside of your home can discourage intruders.
Get to Know your Neighbors
Strong relationships with your neighbors can go a long way in helping to keep your vacation home safe. Many neighbors will often be happy to keep an eye out on your property and let you know if they have seen any suspicious activity and report it to the police. There tend to be lower break-in rates in close-knit neighborhoods since strangers will more likely stick out like a sore thumb.
Consider leaving your contact information with a trustworthy neighbor so that they can easily and quickly fill you in. You might even want to have them gather regularly delivered items such as newspapers that may accumulate so that the property doesn’t appear to be unattended.
Hire a Landscaping Service
It is smart to invest in landscaping services to maintain a well-kept lawn and any garden areas while you’re away. Untidy hedges, overgrown grass, or a weed-infested garden are all signs to perpetrators that there is no one home to tend to the property.
Safe Places for Spare Keys
Be very cautious of where you are hiding any spare keys. Hiding a key under the front doormat, on top of a porch light, or under a fake rock is not the safest place. Instead, consider leaving your spare keys with a nearby friend, trusted neighbor, or taking advantage of the keyless locks on your vacation home.
Keep Records of Belongings
Take inventory of the essential possessions in your vacation home, so you could easily identify if something went missing. This way, your TX vacation home insurance agent can help. Create a record sheet of serial numbers of valuable electronics and other expensive items. This list should be well organized and easily accessible.
About Transparity Insurance Services
Transparity Insurance Services was founded for the purpose of helping clients to ensure their property and assets with no hassle. We are committed to providing a simple, easy, efficient, and positive experience to all of our clients, and prioritize open and transparent communication with our clients. Through our excellent customer service and technology, we can help you to find the right insurance program at a competitive price. Contact us today at (855) 889-2037 to learn more about what we can do for you.