8 Security Checks to Make Before You Leave Home for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving weekend is a time for family, food and getting out of town. For many Canadians, that also means leaving their homes empty for a few days.

Before you load the car and head out, take a few minutes to make sure your home is ready to be left alone. A few simple checks can reduce the chances of coming home to an unpleasant surprise.

1. Check Every Door and Window

Before leaving, walk through the house and check every exterior door, ground-level window and garage entry. It is easy to lock the front door and forget about a basement window or side entrance. Make sure everything is properly closed and secured.

2. Don’t Forget the Garage

An attached garage can provide another way into your home. Close the garage door completely and check that the interior door leading into your home is locked. If you use a garage door opener, avoid leaving it somewhere visible in an unattended vehicle.

3. Keep Your Home Looking Occupied

A completely dark home for several nights can make it obvious that nobody is there. Use timers or smart lighting to tshould do more than make noise when something happens. With 24/7 alarm monitoring, an alarm can be assessed, and the appropriate contacts or emergency services can be reached urn lights on and off at different times. If you have smart home devices, check that they are working before you leave.

4. Be Careful What You Share Online

Posting that you’re away may seem harmless, especially when you’re excited about a Thanksgiving trip. But publicly announcing that your home is empty gives people information they don’t need. Consider waiting until you return before sharing photos or details from your trip.

5. Secure Outdoor Items

Don’t leave ladders, tools or other equipment sitting outside while you’re away. These items can be useful to someone trying to access a property. Bring what you can indoors and secure anything that needs to stay outside.

6. Check Your Alarm System

If you have a home security system, make sure it is working before you leave. Check that doors and windows are properly connected, replace low batteries and make sure your alarm system is communicating with your monitoring service.

If something goes wrong while you’re away, you want to know that your system is ready to respond.

7. Have Someone Keep an Eye on the Property

Ask a trusted neighbour, friend or family member to check on your home if you will be gone for several days. They can bring in packages, collect mail and let you know if something looks unusual.

8. Know What Your Security System Can Do

Your security system according to your monitoring procedures.

That matters when you are hundreds of kilometres away and cannot check your home yourself.

Enjoy Thanksgiving. Let Your Security Handle Home.

You shouldn’t have to spend your Thanksgiving weekend wondering whether you remembered to lock the back door or whether your alarm is working. Alarm Guard Security provides professional home security, installation and 24/7 monitoring for Canadian homes and businesses.

We are a local security company focused specifically on security. No internet packages. No phone plans. Just security solutions designed to help protect your property when you’re home and when you’re away.

Before you leave for Thanksgiving, make sure your home is ready to be left alone. Talk to Alarm Guard Security about your security options today.