Your home security while on vacation is crucial, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you’re preparing for fires, storms, or property crimes, we got you covered. We’ve outlined some of the best practices for you so you can vacation-proof your home for when you’re gone. In this guide, you’ll find the best practices for:
- Securing your garage door for vacation.
- Protecting your home from flooding.
- Protecting your home from storms.
- Protecting your home from fires.
- Other ways to protect your home.
When it comes to protecting your home when you’re on vacation, no risk is worth taking. That’s why we recognize the importance of securing your property while you’re away. Unfortunately, Greater Spokane has one of the highest national property crime rates. An estimated 9% of all break-ins are through the garage door, but theft isn’t the only potential threat. So, how can you protect your home while on vacation?
Secure Your Garage Door for Vacation
Secure your garage door by setting the opener to vacation mode. Vacation mode locks down the receiver on your device, preventing anyone from accessing your garage door from the outside. While not all garage door systems have this feature, you’re in luck if you have a LiftMaster system. LiftMaster systems have a lock button on the wall-mounted switch that disables the garage door opener while you’re on vacation.
To activate your Liftmaster’s vacation mode, press and hold the lock button on the wall-mounted receiver for three seconds and the LED light on the operator will blink rapidly. If done correctly, the wall-mounted receiver will continue to work, but all remotes will be blocked. To disable, repeat the process until the LED is solid again.
If you don’t have access to a vacation mode feature, you can alternatively disable the power to your garage door opener.
If disabling the power isn’t right for you, consider a wireless garage door opener. Many wireless opener options offer smart capabilities for enhanced security and a richer homeowner experience. The LiftMaster myQ enabled owners are among the best at enhancing homeowner connectivity. LiftMaster MyQ enables homeowners to check the status of their garage door remotely from anywhere, while also enabling security syncing with popular home security systems from Ring, Key by Amazon, Nest, Xfinity and Honeywell Total Connect.
The last step in securing your garage before going on vacation is to enable your garage door lock. Don’t have one? LiftMaster has you covered with a wide range of automatic garage door locks that offer enhanced security with ease, so you don’t have to sacrifice your peace of mind for extra security.
Protect Your Home From Flooding
Water damage is every home owner’s worst nightmare, but there’s no need to worry with the right preparation. Here are some things you can add to your pre-vacation checklist to secure your home while you’re gone.
1. Turn Off the Water Supply
The water supply should be the first thing you should secure before leaving. Locate the supply valve, and close it. Then, run a faucet or shower to test that it’s secured properly. If a situation arises when you might need water — for example, if you have sprinklers — you can turn off the supply value to major appliances such as toilets, refrigerators, washing machines and dishwashers.
2. Inspect Your Sump Pump
Before leaving for vacation, test your sump pump. The testing method will vary depending on the model of your pump, but be sure to manually check that it can drain when necessary. If your sump pump fails while you’re away, be sure to inspect your basement for any water leaks or damages and contact the appropriate restoration professionals to prevent any more damage.
3. Clear Gutters and Downspouts
To prevent any water build-up near your home, be sure to get out that step ladder you borrowed from your father-in-law four years ago and check that your gutters are clear of any obstructions and water flows properly. Be sure to make the same inspections to your downspouts and ensure the water is draining properly, a minimum of ten feet away from the house to prevent any foundational damage.
4. Seal Cracks
Lastly, inspect your home for any cracks and be sure to seal them properly. Address any cracks and use the appropriate materials to fill them. Hydraulic cement and waterproofing paint are popular basement preparation options. In addition to cracks, make sure all weather stripping is installed correctly and replace any damaged pieces.
Protect Your Home From Storm Damage
It’s always a good idea to check the forecast before you leave. Make sure your foundation, roof and other key components of your house have been recently inspected and any necessary repairs have been made. If your home has shutter windows make sure to secure them properly.
To protect the outside of your home, bring in any non-essential yard items and decor. Your garage door can be a serious liability if not storm-rated, so make sure yours is. Lastly, properly secure any hardware necessary to prevent blow-ins and ensure it’s in good working condition.
Protect Your Home From Fire
When living in Spokane, WA, the threat of fires comes both internally and externally. To prevent electrical fires and other combustions inside your home, spot-check all outlets and make sure appliances are unplugged. Leave all lights turned off and make sure no exposed outlets or electrical appliances could be exposed to water.
For the outside of your home, fire preparation begins with cleaning. Get rid of exposed combustible materials, including plant matter. If your home has trees and bushes, keep the branches trimmed and make sure your landscape is designed with the threat of fires in mind. If your lifestyle includes firewood, be sure that firewood piles are a minimum of 30 feet away from the house.
Other Ways to Protect Your Home While on Vacation
There are more ways to protect your home and when it comes to the safety of your home, it’s better to be over-prepared. Here are some ways to secure your home while you’re away on vacation.
Try Smart Lighting
Smart lighting is an underappreciated tool for deterring threats. Many smart LED lighting solutions will be able to connect to your phone wirelessly for you to control while you’re away. Even better, some smart lighting options have a vacation mode that will automatically turn on your lights when you aren’t home to deter threats.
Implement Home Alarms
If your neighborhood is experiencing break-ins and thefts, consider beefing up your home security with a residential security camera system paired with a home alarm system. Communicate your vacation plans with your security company to utilize their protection. Many home security systems offer additional sensors that can help you monitor your home so you don’t have to worry about anything. If necessary, establish a backup device for securing your home’s security footage if your phone might encounter issues.
Don’t Broadcast Your Plans
It’s totally normal to get excited about your vacation plans and want to tell everyone about your trip. Consider waiting until your return to announce your vacation and share photos online. Alerting people that you won’t be home for an extended period could pose potential risks to your home security.
Ask Neighbors to Check-In
It’s also a good practice to let a trusted neighbor know you will be out of town and to ask them to check in on your house periodically. With tools like the LiftMaster myQ, they don’t even need a key — you can let them in with a smart opener, so you can mitigate every possible risk.
Close Blinds
Natural lighting is always a blessing to any home, but if you plan on leaving for vacation, consider closing all blinds so nobody can see in. In doing so, you prevent potential thieves from snooping on your valuables.
Remove Spare Keys
Now’s the time to take that spare key out from under your favorite hydrangea. Even if you think nobody will find it, don’t give anyone a chance. If having a neighbor check-in, utilize the LiftMast MyQ for keyless entry, or hand-deliver the key to your neighbor to hold onto.
Pause Mail Delivery
After contacting your security provider, contact the post office to temporarily stop your mail. Having mail stacked up in your mailbox or leaving unclaimed packages on your doorstep could put you at risk of falling victim to property crime.
Contact Continental Door Co. Today
We value your home safety at Continental Door. Invest in your home with garage door services and installation to ensure your garage is strong and safe. Or take the next step to regain the peace of mind you need for your upcoming vacation by upgrading your modern security features. To get started vacation-proofing your home, contact us and get a free estimate.
