Tag Archives: Home security

10 Tip for Protecting Your Home During Vacations (8217)

29 Monday Dec 2025

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

images

We hope you all have a safe and relaxing time during your vacation this summer. It’s crucial that we all have time to recharge and recognize what’s important in life. We only go around once, so it’s important to savor what we have.

Before you leave town, we thought you might be interested in a few precautionary safety tips to keep your home and your possessions safe while you’re gone. Often in the run-up to a vacation, people neglect to take simple steps to protect themselves from becoming a victim of theft or vandalism.

You’ve probably covered your bases, but just in case, here are 10 basic precautions you can take:

1. Have someone collect your mail and newspaper daily.

2. Leave shades and blinds in normal positions.

3. Put at least two lights and a radio on automatic timers.

4. Have someone leave trash at your curb on garbage collection day.

5. Have someone park a car in your driveway occasionally. If you leave your car outside, arrange to have it moved every so often.

6. Leave a key with a trusted neighbor in case of an emergency. Let the neighbor know where you are going and when you are expect to return, also leave them a way to get in contact with you in case of an emergency.

7. Lock all windows and doors before you go. Do not forget to double-check basement and garage doors.

8. On extended trips have someone to maintain your landscaping, (grass mowed, leaves raked, etc.)

9. Consider turning off your home’s water main to prevent damage from a burst pipe.

10. Be careful how much you check-in on social media while on vacation. If your privacy settings are incorrect you might reveal to strangers your home is vacant!

Be safe and have a blast…

Is buying or selling your home a priority in 2018?  Give us a call and let’s make your New Year’s resolution a reality – Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS The Hanley Home Team of Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners Southside 904-515-2479 www.HanleyHomeTeam.com Kevin Hanley, Loan Officer, Texana Bank NMLS #2639641 https://mortgage.texanabank.com/loan-officer/kevin-hanley/

We hope you all have a safe and relaxing time during your vacation this summer, too. It’s crucial that we all have time to recharge and recognize what’s important in life. We only go around once, so it’s important to savor what we have. Before you leave town, we thought you might be interested in a few precautionary safety tips to keep your home and your possessions safe while you’re gone. Often in the run-up to a vacation, people neglect to take simple steps to protect themselves from becoming a victim of theft or vandalism.

These Things Can Make Your Home More Appealing to Burglars and Put You at Higher Risk for a Break-in

27 Wednesday Dec 2023

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

A home break-in can be a scary, traumatic experience. Unfortunately, break-ins are extremely common; according to data from the FBI, in 2022, there were more than 847,000 break-ins in the US.

While there’s no guaranteed way to protect yourself from a home break-in, some homes are more appealing to burglars than others. If you want to lower your chances of a break-in, you should know what makes a home an easy target.

A recent article from realtor.com outlined signs that can signal to burglars that a home is an easy target and increase the risk for break-ins, including:

  • No alarm system. If you don’t have an alarm system installed, it can send a message to burglars that they can get in and get out easily without setting off an alarm, which can play a major role in which house they choose to burglarize. In fact, according to the article, burglars are 300% more likely to target a home without an alarm system vs. a home equipped with alarms. So, if you want to protect your home from break-ins, installing an alarm system is a great start.
  • Mail pile-ups. When a burglar sees an overflowing mailbox, it indicates that the homeowner hasn’t picked up their mail for at least a few days, which is a sign that they’re likely not home, making it the ideal time for a break-in. If you have to go out of town, ask a friend or neighbor to pick up your mail.
  • No outdoor lighting. In order to successfully break into a home, burglars need to fly under the radar. That’s why a home without any outdoor lighting is ideal; it allows the burglar to watch the home and try different entry points without being seen. To avoid the issue, make sure the exterior of your home and property is well lit with automatic and/or motion-sensor lights. Make sure the lights cover any potential entry points, like doors or windows.

Stay safe this holiday season. Get in touch for more tips. Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORs The Hanley Home Team of Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners Southside 904-515-2479 HanleyHomeTeam.com

10 Tip for Protecting your Home During Vacations

14 Thursday Dec 2017

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

imagesWe hope you all have a safe and relaxing time during your vacation this summer. It’s crucial that we all have time to recharge and recognize what’s important in life. We only go around once, so it’s important to savor what we have.

Before you leave town, we thought you might be interested in a few precautionary safety tips to keep your home and your possessions safe while you’re gone. Often in the run-up to a vacation, people neglect to take simple steps to protect themselves from becoming a victim of theft or vandalism.

You’ve probably covered your bases, but just in case, here are 10 basic precautions you can take:

1. Have someone collect your mail and newspaper daily.

2. Leave shades and blinds in normal positions.

3. Put at least two lights and a radio on automatic timers.

4. Have someone leave trash at your curb on garbage collection day.

5. Have someone park a car in your driveway occasionally. If you leave your car outside, arrange to have it moved every so often.

6. Leave a key with a trusted neighbor in case of an emergency. Let the neighbor know where you are going and when you are expect to return, also leave them a way to get in contact with you in case of an emergency.

7. Lock all windows and doors before you go. Do not forget to double-check basement and garage doors.

8. On extended trips have someone to maintain your landscaping, (grass mowed, leaves raked, etc.)

9. Consider turning off your home’s water main to prevent damage from a burst pipe.

10. Be careful how much you check-in on social media while on vacation. If your privacy settings are incorrect you might reveal to strangers your home is vacant!

Be safe and have a blast…

Is buying or selling your home a priority in 2018?  Give us a call and let’s make your New Year’s resolution a reality – Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS The Hanley Home Team of Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners Southside 904-515-2479 http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com

Protecting Your Home from Burglars

04 Thursday Dec 2014

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

Some very interesting info on how to protect your home from burglars, courtesy of the Washington Post. You might be surprised at the stats.

Some interesting facts:

* Most burglaries occur between 10AM and 3PM.
* The typical house burglar is a male teenager who lives within a couple of miles of your home.
* Burglars spend on an average between 8 and 12 minutes inside your home.

Not only did the graphic detail the most common entry points for a burglar, but it also offered these helpful tips for protecting your home:

* A home with a security system is 3 times less likely to be broken into than a home without a security system. (Even if you don’t have one, buying the stickers for them can deter an amateur.)
* Consider alternatives to the master bedroom for hiding valuables. It’s the first place most burglars go.
* Burglars want to spend fewer than 60 seconds breaking in. Anything you can do to lengthen that time will increase the likelihood they’ll pass on your house.
* The appearance of an unoccupied home is what typically attracts burglars. Not bringing the garbage cans back up a few days after trash day can be a big sign you’re not around.

For a detailed look at the infographic, visit the Washington Post site here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/artsandliving/homeandgarden/features/2007/burglary-070507/graphic.html

Protect your home and your valuables! Common sense is often enough to keep you from becoming a victim. And remember: Keep an inventory of your possessions for insurance purposes.

Quality of your neighborhood got you nervous? Contact us! Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS, Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners Southside, http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com