Clean Outside Your House Before Leaving

Security at home starts on the outside. Before taking a vacation look at the front of your property from the street. This will give you a view of what everyone else passing by will see. You want to leave the impression that someone is home and discourage would-be thieves from trying to break in. In addition to the inside of your house, complete any yard maintenance that needs to be done before you leave. Especially if you will be gone for a while. If a burglar sees that your lawn is becoming overgrown and that no one has taken care of the garden or trees in your yard, they might put two and two together and realize you are out of town. Here is a checklist to get you started.

• Mow the grass
• Trim hedges and bushes
• Trim tree branches, especially any that might reach toward a window of your house
• If you have any type of fruit tree that fruit falls off of, pick up any that drop
• Water and care for gardens
• Sweep walkways and driveways

Make sure all exterior lighting/home security systems is in working order