Keep your home safe while you're away on vacation.

Ways to protect your home and its contents while you're away range from simple to high tech. Here are some ideas to secure your home when you're on vacation.

• Consider a house sitter. It may be an added expense, but having a trusted person stay at your home is a great defense against burglars.
  
• Don't advertise you're away. Don't leave an outgoing voicemail stating you're out of town. Also, refrain from listing vacation dates on social media, such as Twitter and Facebook.
  
• Invest in an alarm system.
  
• Put all lights on timers, so it appears someone is home. A lighted home is a deterrent for break-ins.
  
• Have the post office hold your mail and put your newspaper delivery on hold. An overstuffed mailbox and unopened newspapers on the lawn are a signal you are not at home.
  
• Leave all doors and windows locked. When possible, utilize dead bolts and secure sliding glass doors by placing a rod in the door groove.
  
• Alert police and a trusted neighbor to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity.
  
• Remove any spare keys that are hidden outside the house. Instead, give a key to a trusted neighbor or family member to regularly check the house.
  

Have a great time on your travels and come back to a safe home. Remember that our team is always here to help. For questions please contact our offices at 626-358-1858 or 626-963-7621.

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