The holidays are here and that means several fun events, delicious food, celebrating and most importantly…..travel plans. Living in a resort town, it also means the summer folks have left and may not be back for months leaving the question “Is your Tahoe Keys home secure while you are away?”. There are several simple Do’s and Dont’s that one can take to drastically reduce the chances of home invasion or burglary.

Let us start with the Do’s on keeping your Tahoe Keys home safe during the times no one is home.

• Make sure all doors and windows are locked and fastened. This seems like a no brainer, but can easily be overlooked when you are rushing out the door. Make sure sliding glass doors are reinforced with a piece of plywood or metal rod in the tract. That way if someone does manage to get the door open, they won’t be able to get it open all the way.
• Get a view of your house from the street. Can you see electronics and valuables? If so, perhaps moving them to a more secure location within the home and out of the view of a passerby is a good idea.
• Secure your garage by unplugging the power to an automatic garage door. This keeps thieves from having success with an universal remote. If the door lifts up on a track, tighten a C clamp on the track next to a roller. This keeps the door from being opened as well. Always make sure to lock any door leading into the house from the garage.
• Keep the outside of your home well light. An illuminated home isn’t alluring to someone trying to commit a crime.
• Consider a home security system. If the price tag is too hefty, go to your local hardware and home goods store. There are sensors that you can place on windows and doors that will make alarm sounds when opened.

Now that we have covered a few of the ways to secure your Tahoe Keys home, let’s discuss things to refrain from while you are away.

• Don’t leave a message on your answering machine saying you are on vacation. If your social media pages are not private, refrain from announcing it to the world. Letting everyone know you are away from your home makes you more susceptible to a break in.
• Don’t hide a key somewhere outside. Burglars know all the best hiding spots. If you need someone to have access to your home, make them a key.
• If you are leaving your car in an airport parking lot, remove the portable GPS. Someone could easily gain access to your car, take the GPS and have step by step directions back to your home.
• Don’t make it look like you are gone. Make it appear like you are home by using a timer on electronics such as TV, lights and or radio. Ask a trustworthy neighbor to help your cause by picking up newspapers, removing mail from the mail box and helping with the trash. Nothing says “Empty House” like newspapers piled in the driveway.

Holidays and vacations are supposed to be a time of fun. Securing your home properly ensures you can come back, unpack and relax instead of spending time on the phone with the police department and insurance company. For more information on homes and the different areas of the Tahoe Keys, contact Peter Delilli at 530-308-4331.