Tips For Protecting Your Home While You're Away

There's nothing like the sense of freedom you feel when the dishes are done, the lawn is mowed and you can finally lock the front door and run off to an adventure. Whether you're planning a meandering day trip or racing to the airport for a long-term dream vacation, nagging worry may erode your good time if your home is left behind and unprotected. Leaving your home able to repel break-ins in your absence can give you peace of mind and requires little more than a common sense approach, and these helpful tips.

Say Aloha, Not – You may be over the moon with anticipation, but don't announce your plans on Facebook or other social media sites. If you're going to let the world know you won't be home at a certain time, you may as well put out a welcome mat for burglars.

Rely on Timers –Utilize motion detector lights on the outside of your home and throughout your property. Automatic timers on inside lighting fixtures and photo-electric switches on outside lighting help create the sense of a pattern that makes it look like someone is home. You can also utilize electric timers on devices such as TVs or the radio, and some that vary the times when they go on and off.

Keep One Light On – Leave the light on in one room, such as the bathroom, to further the sense that someone is home.

Prepare for a Power Outage – No matter what season you are traveling in, a storm can cause a power outage capable of blowing your cover, pronto. Create a contingency plan that includes an alternative power source. Alarm systems may be a great choice, but their back-up battery power typically lasts for 24 to 48 hours max, leaving your home unprotected after that slender window has closed. An at-home generator may provide a better alternative, as they kick in automatically if the power goes off for any reason, and stay operational indefinitely, keeping your timers and motion detectors hard at work in your absence.

Don't Tempt Fate – Yes, you have beautiful things, but keep them hidden from sight while you are away. Most burglaries are crimes of opportunity, but you don't want to entice a pro to target your home based on your good taste.

Install Good Locks – Locking up before you go is good, common sense. Don't forget the garage, windows or patio doors and make sure a close neighbor is also keeping an eye out for any open windows, doors or anything else that looks suspicious or out of place.

Cancel Your Deliveries – It may be easier to place your delivery schedule on hold, but you don't want to alert the deliverers of your plans. If you will be away from home for more than a few days, cancel the newspaper and any other delivery item you routinely receive at your front door, and resume service when you return.

Corey Whelan is a freelance writer in New York. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

Learn more by visiting CBS Philly's Storm Prep section