Vacation Rentals: Home Security When It’s Not Your Full-Time Home

While most people know how to protect their home or apartment, sometimes going on vacation can trigger a little bit of delinquency when it comes to safety measures. However, whether you're visiting a lake house or renting some sort of cottage or ski apartment, it's still just as important to think about ways to protect your belongings while on vacation. Vacation homes are frequently thought of as just targeted during the off-season, but the truth is that a busy ski mountain or lakeside getaway can be a hot target for conniving locals bent on ruining someone's vacation, especially now that so many people travel with expensive electronics, not to mention extra spending money.

The first step towards protecting your belongings while on vacation is to assess the property and see what steps can be taken each day to keep it securely locked up. If there are deadbeats, be sure to bolt all doors before going to bed each night, and don't leave things like computers or smartphones or mp3 players sitting downstairs on the kitchen table in plain view of anyone walking by the window while everyone is asleep upstairs. Likewise, when leaving the cabin or room for a day of adventure or relaxation, think about finding a secure hiding spot for valuables.

Many vacation rentals are beefing up their security and adding mini safes, so you might consider putting cash and jewelry in that if you're not taking it with you for the day. If there is any sort of home alarm system present, the person renting to you should usually be able to instruct you in arming it, and it might be a good idea to go ahead and take that precaution.
Otherwise, if bringing expensive goods with you while out for the day, make sure that you keep them in your sight at all times, and don't leave bags hanging off the backs of chairs in crowded restaurants or ski lodges--that's a surefire way to get things stolen immediately.

While vacation is a great time to relax, it is not a time to forget entirely about home security wherever you are staying. Even if there isn't an alarm system in place and you are diligent about deadbolting the door each night, there are still small details to consider. Don't give people your room number or cottage number if you don't know them that well, so that they cannot find you. Be sure to always shut and lock windows just as well as doors, because often times they are a better entry method for criminals, anyway. Even if you are on a higher floor, if there is a patio or balcony, be sure to lock any doors leading to it. Sometimes, criminals will break in through one apartment and then just leap down to the balcony on the next level.

The good news about making sure that everything is safe and secure while on vacation is that it doesn't have to take up much of your precious leisure time. A few common sense steps are all that it takes towards a significantly higher level of security, leaving you and your family free to enjoy your holiday time, wherever it might be spent.

If going on vacation, don't forget to remember your place back home, either. Be sure to set your home alarm system before leaving. If your vacation is going to stretch on for a couple of weeks and you don't have an alarm, consider calling up one of your adt local dealers and getting one installed.