Vacation Security Tips – RAPID INTERNATIONAL

Keeping Your Home Secure While You’re Traveling

Planning and preparing to leave for a vacation can be both exciting and stressful. Along with planning your itinerary and your packing list, make a list of things to do to keep your home safe while you’re away on vacation.

Most of these to-dos are things you can do right away. If your vacation is a ways away, you can still get other items purchased and installed. For example, if you don’t already have a security system, security camera and video monitoring or a video door bell, by taking action now, you can have a great security system by the time you leave on vacation.

Here’s an overview to help organize preparing your home while you travel.

Give Your Home a Lived-in Look

Schedule temporary holds on your mail, newspapers, water deliveries, etc.

Set automatic times for lights and TVs; or better yet, set up smart devices and lights so that you can remotely and randomly turn them on and off.

Tidy up your driveway, porch, front yard and any other property visible from the street.

Prepare Your Home

Don’t leave large trash bins out and empty trash cans.

Give away any perishable food items.

Make arrangements for your pets.

Set your thermostat to temperatures close to outside and be mindful of any indoor plants.

Turn off large appliances and unplug small appliances you’re not using.

If you’ll be away for a long vacation, consider shutting off gas and water to prevent leaks.

Keep Your Home Secure

Ask a trusted neighbor or friend to keep an eye on your property.

Collect and stow all your spare keys.

Double check that your motion-activated lights, alarms and other security systems are in good order and have fresh batteries or are charged.

If you have one, notify your security company you’ll be away.

Notify a relative of your itinerary and when you will return.

Make sure to lock your doors and windows on all the floors of your home, including basement, interior and exterior garage doors, sheds, and gates.

Your Personal Security

Advise your bank and credit card companies you’ll be traveling, especially if for an extended period of time and possibly if overseas.

Set up an “ICE” – In Case of Emergency – contact in your phone.

Store valuables, important documents and fire arms in a safe or a locked room

Use your phone number, not your address, on your luggage tag.

Consider limiting social media posts announcing your travel plans as well as posting during your vacation. An opportunistic burglar monitoring travel hashtags may be alerted that you’re not home by your social media.

While on Vacation

Avoid carrying or wearing expensive items.

Activate a “find my phone” or other GPS tracker for emergencies.

Be aware of your surroundings, stay with the group if on a tour; avoid going places with strangers.

Keep your cell phone charged and periodically check in with friends and relatives.

Keep your hotel room and rental car locked; use the same safety precautions you would at home.

International Travel

A little planning before you leave for vacation keeps your home as safe and secure as possible while you travel. If you’re planning to travel abroad, there are other travel aspects you should consider. Click on these international travel advisories for more information.

Rapid International Offers Community Solutions

Safety, Community, Together. Rapid International provides security services, including staffed areas and patrol services, prioritizing neighborhood-based security in collaboration with your community. Rapid’s management has extensive experience in the security industry and in each city, we build partnerships with local law enforcement and emergency service agencies. Together with community members, we work to make people and communities safe and secure.

Please get in touch to learn about our community-level security program – we believe the strength of collaboration and partnership make neighborhoods safer for everyone. In Georgia, call: (706) 844-2586, in California call: (213) 364-1394 or email us at info@therapidway.com.

Security is always excessive. Until it’s not enough.
CR. Robbie Sinclair

IG: rapidgroup.ga | Linked In: Rapid International Group, Inc.

Photograph courtesy: sunwing.ca