Vacations are exciting, but leaving your home for an extended period of time can feel intimidating—especially for new homeowners. While you can't control the actions of burglars and criminals, there are simple steps you can take to deter them and protect your home from harm. Some of these tips can also help keep you, your family, and your home safe, even when you're not on vacation.

Tips for Before You Plan Your Vacation

If you don't have a vacation planned yet, now is a great time to plan bigger projects to protect your home from intruders. Consider installing the following:

• A home security system: Security systems typically include sensors that contact you or your security company if the sensor is triggered. The appearance of a security system can not only deter crime, but might also lower your homeowners insurance costs. As party of the Freedom+ program Safe Haven security has a special offer to help you protect your home.
• Security camera/video doorbell: If your security system does not include cameras, consider installing a video doorbell or other security cameras to monitor your home while you're away.
• Motion-activated, outdoor lights: Motion-sense lighting can surprise trespassers from sneaking around your property in the dark. Compared to traditional outdoor lights, motion-activated lighting can often be more energy efficient, too.
• Deadbolt locks: A deadbolt locking mechanism extends farther into the door than standard locks. This can make it more difficult to forcibly open a door.

Tips for Before You Leave on Vacation

Once you've got your vacation planned, consider making a to-do list for preparing your home to leave when you make your packing list. Here are some tasks we suggest you complete before you take your trip:

• Request a hold be placed on your mail with USPS
• Pause subscriptions that are sent with delivery services like FedEx or UPS, or have a trusted neighbor keep an eye out for deliveries
• Schedule lawn service if you'll be gone for more than two weeks
• Store outdoor items that could blow away if it storms
• Put one or more lights on a timer
• Adjust your thermostat
• Unplug nonessential electronics, in case of a power surge
• If you have more than one vehicle or are not traveling with your car, leave a vehicle parked in the driveway to give the impression that someone is home
• Lock everything (windows, doors, garage door, car)

Tips for While You're on Vacation

If you're driving yourself to your destination or to the airport, don't leave your GPS in plain sight when you lock and walk away from your car. It's not only a valuable that a burglar can see from outside your vehicle, but it also can provide burglars with the location of your home once they turn it on.

Finally, being on a long-awaited trip can be such a relief, but be hesitant before sharing your excitement on social media. Posting about being away from home for an extended period of time can incentivize criminals to break in if they know no one is home. Instead, wait to share those photos and stories once you're back home! It's also an opportunity to relive your vacation memories.

Benefits of Home Insurance

If something does happen to your home while you're on vacation, homeowners insurance can help you financially recover. Standard homeowners insurance policies not only cover damage from natural disasters, like lightning and wind, but also theft and vandalism. Most mortgage lenders require you to have homeowners insurance, but every policy is different. As part of Freedom+, Matic, a digital insurance marketplace, offers the opportunity for you to get a free quote and compare policies online.