5 Ways to Keep Your Home Safe When Traveling

Heading out of town for vacation is a welcome change, but unwanted guests when you're not even home is another thing. Protecting your home when you're traveling doesn't have to be complicated. Here are a few easy steps to help you secure your home and your things so you can spend your vacation relaxing instead of worrying.

1. Don't Advertise Your Plans for Travel

Sharing your vacation on social media can be tempting, but that information can quickly end up in the wrong hands. Letting your community know you're in Hawaii for a week also means telling them your home is likely empty and you won't be around to check on things. Instead, post your vacation photos when you're already back home to share.

Whether you're planning on vacationing or not, consider adjusting your social media profiles' security and privacy settings so your posts are private and viewable only by your approved friends.

2. Ask a Neighbor for Help

Depending on how long you'll be gone, consider asking a neighbor to check on things every few days. Burglars can quickly tell when a resident's out of town by a full mailbox or trash cans that stay roadside long after their scheduled pick-up day. Even better, if neighbors are nearby, ask them to park in your driveway for a night or two. The more cars that move, the better!

3. Post Security Signs

Although this isn't foolproof, studies have shown that just the presence of a home alarm system sign can give would-be robbers enough cause to move on and leave your house alone to look for an easier target. If your budget allows you to get some form of a home security system, even if it's just a doorbell camera like Ring or Google Nest, it's a great way to keep your place extra secure.

4. Lock All Windows and Doors

Although it may seem like an obvious step, the Department of Justice found that for one of every three break-ins, the burglar entered via an unlocked door or window. Remember to double-check the second floor if your home has one!

5. Use a Safe or Safe Deposit Box for Irreplaceable or Sensitive Items

The cost to fortify your home with cameras and alarms can get spendy quickly. A home safe is a less expensive way to help ensure that your irreplaceable, or nearly irreplaceable, items like heirloom jewelry, passports, family letters, backup thumb or storage drives, and paperwork like birth certificates are more secure from burglars AND fires.

If you don't have much room for a safe, consider opening a safe deposit box. Although they aren't available at every branch, it's worth the drive for added security and safety of your items for a reasonable yearly fee. Use the filter feature to quickly and easily find WaFd Bank branches with a safe deposit box near you.

WaFd Bank is Here to Help

No question is too small for our friendly bankers! Not only do we offer Free Checking* and have some great rates on savings accounts and CDs, but we also like to get to know you personally so we can offer the best assistance possible, along with products and services to make banking easy. To open an account or ask a question, give us a call at 800-324-9375 or visit your local branch today!