Summer is here, and that often means vacation. However, before you pack your suitcase and leave your home empty, consider these points.There are some things to worry about, given the current situation, for example, what will happen to our empty house? For many, the home becomes an uninhabited castle, a silent stage to which, unwittingly, we send a formal invitation to those who are not welcome, such as thieves and squatters.
It's not about living in fear, nor about turning our homes into bunkers, but about being aware that common sense is often our best ally. better security systemAna Alonso, Product Manager at Yale and an expert in protecting the spaces we cherish most, reminds us that 82% of Europeans plan to travel this summer. That figure is a stark reminder that millions of us are leaving behind our biggest investment. And sometimes, thieves don't need sophisticated tools; they simply need to exploit our own mistakes…
Therefore, you must keep in mind What are the most frequent mistakes?To avoid them as much as possible, so you can have a peaceful vacation and return without unpleasant surprises:
The art of invisibility: don't give anything away
Have you ever thought about how your house looks from the outside when you're not there? The most common mistake is leaving it in the same state, with lights always on or always off, blinds in the same position, etc. All of this is the biggest illuminated sign there is. You're telling anyone who passes by, "the house is empty.".
Un trusted neighbor It's pure gold, for example, to ask it to collect the mail so it doesn't pile up in the mailbox and give the impression that the homeowners are absent, or to make changes to your property as a security measure so it doesn't appear unoccupied. It can also remove markings left by someone, which is common with organized squatting or burglary gangs. These criminals often scout properties and mark them with silicone thread, pieces of tape, etc., indicating whether the door has been opened (the mark is broken) or if it has remained closed (the mark is intact).
Lighting and shadows
Another classic mistake is inconsistent lighting. It used to be enough to program the lights to turn on, but now criminals have become more sophisticated, and if they see that the lights always turn on at the same time, or if there are no shadows inside the house, it's just as suspicious. Current technology allows you to program smart routines, simulating someone moving around the house.The fact that someone turns on the stove at eight and turns off the bedroom at eleven creates that natural pattern of life that scares away opportunists.
The social media trap
We live in the age of social media, and it's very common to upload images or videos to social networks showing a travel ticket, a photo of luggage, the location at the airport, etc. This is also a major indicator for many criminals, who monitor this type of content to find out which houses will be empty and vulnerable. The recommendation is radical but effective: the journey is shared on the way backThere's no greater pleasure than uploading that amazing photo when you're back on your sofa, with no one knowing your house has been empty for the past few days.
Traditional hardware vs. smart devices
Modern protection is not just a matter of traditional bolts, security locks, anti-bumping cylinders, or other types of protective elements. Devices such as smart video doorbells, video surveillance cameras, etc. like those from Yale, They allow monitoring of access from the other side of the world. It's the peace of mind of knowing who's at your door, or what's happening, wherever you are.
The environment matters: don't give them the tools
Sometimes, vulnerability lies in our own garden. Have we left the ladder leaning against the wall? Are there tools in plain sight that could be used to pick the lock or break the window? Any object that a thief can use to force entry is working against us. Therefore, a good tip before going on vacation is to check your property and make sure every window and door is closed, ensuring you're not making it easy for a burglar to get in. This doesn't require a security degree, just a quick check before you leave.
Visible security: persuasion
Finally, let's not underestimate the power of the visual. A home that clearly shows it is protected (an alarm sign, an exterior camera, a smart doorbell,…) It's a house that encourages criminals to look elsewhere. Thieves are opportunistic; they don't look for obstacles, they look for opportunities. If we make things difficult for them, they'll simply go somewhere else.
This summer, before closing the door, take ten minutes to look at your house through the eyes of a stranger.What does it tell you? If the answer is "I feel empty," you already know what you need to change. Enjoying your vacation is easier when you know that, upon your return, everything will be exactly as you left it.