The holiday season is just beginning and for many of us that means travel. With our loved ones living outside of CA, we’ll have to leave our San Francisco homes to join the family dinner table. We can all get a little caught up in the rush of the holidays and forget to do small things. However, if you’re traveling, it’s important that you do not forget to secure your home before you leave. There is nothing that is worse than coming home from a wonderful time with your family to find that your home has been broken into. Here’s what to do before you leave to secure your home:

Lock All The Doors And Windows 

Go around your home and make sure that you lock any key entrypoint. Lock your doors and windows. If you have sliding windows or doors, add an extra layer of protection by placing a pole in the track that prevents opening. A good idea is to install smart door locks, they are more secure than regular locks. They also have the benefit of being able to be operated remotely. You can lock and unlock them from your smartphone, so if you can let in visitors while you are away. You’ll also never have to worry about forgetting to lock your doors, because you can do it from your phone.

Install Smart Lights 

Criminals often watch homes before they break in. This is called “casing.” Criminals track the comings and goings of people during casing, so they can strike when the San Francisco homeowner isn’t home. That way they have less risk of getting caught. So one of the important strategies when you are out of town, is to make it seem like you are home. A great way to do this is to install smart lights. Smart lights can be automated to turn on and off randomly throughout the day. That way to someone casing your home, it looks like someone is always there.

Get A Monitored Alarm System 

A monitored alarm system is an excellent way to protect your home while you are away. Monitored systems work with a security company that monitors your alarm system. If the alarm goes off, they call you immediately to let you know. Then if it is a break-in, they will also call law enforcement and report the break-in. It’s like having a housesitter that will check in whenever there is a problem. Most alarm systems have monitoring options, you will need to work with your security company to find a plan that works for you.

These three tips will help protect your home while you are away for the holidays. If your home is secure, you can just enjoy the time with your family and friends. For more ideas on how to secure your home whether you are at home or away, you should speak with a qualified home security specialist. They’ll work with you to design a custom system for all your home security needs.