Blog

Vacation-Proof Your Home

July 9, 2020|fsstechnologies

When planning a vacation, you are almost always considering what clothes to pack or booking a place to stay. But while you are away, you need to make sure that your home will be safe from burglars or thieves who may target an empty home. Before you pack up and leave for your vacation, there are some things you need to prepare to adequately protect your home. We have created a quick checklist with top tips on how to vacation-proof your home.

Plants and Pets

Something that you will need to prepare depending on the length of your holiday is the care for your pets and indoor plants while you are away. If you ask someone to stop by and water your indoor ferns, you will need to let them know how to get in and lock up once they leave.
With keypad door locks, you can create special codes that your friend or pet sitter can use for the week. Once you are back, you can easily change the door code so that only you have access to your home. Alternatively, smart locks can also allow you to unlock your door remotely from your smartphone, so you know when someone is coming or going.

FSS Technologies offers zWave locks or smart locks from Yale, Kwikset, and Schlag.

Unplug and Shut Off

To keep your property safe from any electrical fires or sparks that may turn into flames, unplug the electronics in your home and turn off the lights. This is also a simple way to save on your electricity bill while you are not there. Double-check that electronics like curling irons are unplugged before you leave.

Depending on the weather of the area you live in, you may choose to shut off your water to avoid any leaky faucets from exacerbating your water bill while you are away. If you live in a cold area and are worried about frozen pipes bursting, open up your cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate, disconnect your hose from the outside faucet, and install heat tape around any exposed pipes.

Don’t Brag About Your Trip… Yet

Sharing on social media that you will be on an extended holiday can make your vacated home a target. Wait until you return to share updates from your trip. As a bonus, time unplugged from social media can be a great way to de-stress.

Automate Your Home

To maintain a reasonable temperature inside your home, a smart thermostat can control the heating and air conditioning automatically. This is an excellent option for those with pets, plants, or pipes you need to keep warm in the winter.

Similarly, smart light controls allow you to turn on and off some of the lights in your home to create the illusion that someone is home. This is a simple but effective way to deter potential thieves or home invaders.

Lock Everything

From your windows to your doors, ensure that every opening to your home is completely locked. This will prevent someone from gaining easy, unforced access to your home and your belongings.

Monitor Your Home

With FSS Technologies’ home security systems, we can help give you the peace of mind you need to fully relax on your trip. We can help you create a residential security package that suits your needs and is customized to your home.

Video doorbells allow you to see who is at your front door, and the Alarm.com mobile app gives you complete access to your security system—from anywhere in the world.

If you are looking to fully unplug or will be in a place without internet access, you should consider home monitoring services offered by many security companies.

Home monitoring means that you have a 24/7 team of security experts ensuring that your home is safe. With FSS Technologies, our highly trained team is immediately notified when an alarm is triggered and they take the proper steps based on your system requirements to make sure your home is safe for you when you get back.

For help vacation-proofing your home, call our experts at FSS Technologies.

Contact a Security Expert Today

Explore Our Other Blogs

8-home-security-tips-Hero-min

8 Home Security Tips

With more than 45 years of experience in the home and business security industry, here are our top eight tips for discouraging intruders and burglars from targeting your home. 1. Create the illusion that someone is at your house. If you are going to be gone for an extended time, leave a light or TV…

Continue reading
Hero-EntryPoint_Integration

Can Your CCTV and Access Control Systems be Integrated?

When setting up security for your business, you might consider adding CCTV and access control systems. These two security measures work great to deter crime on their own, and provide even greater security when integrated. This pairing has many advantages, but it is also a complex setup that may not be right for you. There…

Continue reading
2019-06_FSSTechnologies_blogs_how-video-doorbell-works_hero-min

How Video Doorbells Work

A video doorbell is a system that allows you to see who is ringing your doorbell by way of a video connection. If your video doorbell has a two-way audio system, you also can talk to the person at the front door, whether you’re home or not. How you connect your system and how you…

Continue reading
tips-to-prevent-hackers-hero-min

Tips to Prevent Your Security System from Being Hacked

The Risky Business of Ring’s Vulnerable Security and other DIY security systems can leave your home as a potential target for hackers or thieves. When you are investing in a security system, you are hoping for peace of mind, and you are trusting this technology with your safety and property. Have I Been Hacked? A hacker may…

Continue reading
Hero-Gimmicks-min

Big Name Home Security Gimmicks

We talk about choosing between a national home security company and a local company, DIY Security systems’ weaknesses, and video doorbells. Choosing a security system can be stressful and overwhelming, especially when you and your family’s security is at stake. So how do you choose a home security system? Do Your Homework It’s critical to do…

Continue reading
need-to-know-sign-contract-hero

Ins and Outs of Contract vs No Contract Security Systems

Many people see signing a long-term contract with a reputable alarm company as a stressful experience. In truth, contracts are in place to benefit both the alarm company and the homeowner. Developing a relationship and signing a long-term commitment to a security company allows you to get to know a team and benefit from the peace of mind that…

Continue reading
fire-safety-hero-min

Fire Safety for Multistory Buildings

While it can seem similar to homes or businesses, multistory properties have unique demands for fire safety. Whether your property includes a mid-rise condo and business building or multiple low-rise apartment locations, it requires additional care and consideration when evaluating the protection of inhabitants from fire hazards. If a fire breaks out in one section…

Continue reading
3-types-of-lighting-hero-min

3 Types of Security Lights

Your security system is only useful if you can see what is going on when you can’t be there. This also means that when it gets dark, your cameras need to be able to capture the image clearly. To do this past dusk will require that you set up security lighting. Additionally, check out the…

Continue reading
Herodiyvspro-min

Why Cheaper Isn’t Better When It Comes to Security

What is DIY Security? The development of home security technology using wireless transmission connections and battery power has made it possible for DIY options to enter the home security market. One of the biggest misconceptions about DIY home security is that it is so easy that a person with absolutely zero background on audiovisual equipment…

Continue reading
inside-the-mind-of-a-burglar_hero

Inside the Mind of a Burglar

What Message Are You Sending? Whether you know it or not, your business could send a message to potential burglars about how easy or difficult it is to break in. Professional thieves can quickly assess a property, also known as “casing,” to determine if it could be an easy and lucrative target. Unfortunately, many employees…

Continue reading
24h emergency
Secure My Space
chat with us