Publication date: 06/19/2009

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Make home security a priority before vacationing

Summer in Michigan means vacationing. And whether you are planning to take a two-week vacation out of state or just a long weekend at the cottage Up North, you should always think about home security measures before you leave.

To decrease your chances of being burglarized while on vacation, it's good to follow the basic tips that many police departments suggest, such as locking all of your doors and windows, stopping delivery of mail and newspapers, using a timer to turn lights on and off, and leaving a radio tuned to a talk radio station like WJR. You should also make sure your grass gets cut, have a trusted neighbor check on your home frequently, and even have them put out a bag of garbage in front of your house on garbage day so it looks like you are still home.

It's also smart to make sure your garage door is disengaged from the opener and secured so thieves can't open it with a "code grabber" that allows them to activate your garage door opener.

Of course, if you have a home security system, alert the security company that you are leaving, and make sure your neighbor knows the proper codes to unlock and reactivate it.

You also should contact your local police department before leaving to inform them about your vacation plans and provide them with contact phone numbers for emergencies. Many police departments have online forms that you can print and fax to the station with pertinent vacation information.

In addition to following these basic tips, you might also want to consider home security products on the market that can make your home even more secure.

For example, instead of using old-fashioned manual dial timers, use one of the many digital timers from a company like Intermatic, (815) 675-7000, www.intermatic.com. These digital timers are available at most hardware and home centers and are easy to program your lights to go on and off at different times, further confusing burglars. They also have a battery backup to make sure a power outage won't change your on-off schedule once power returns. You also should consider replacing your outdoor lights with ones with motion sensors that turn on when someone walks up to your home.

Instead of giving your neighbor a key to your house, which could be lost or fall into the wrong hands, you might want to consider the Kwikset SmartScan Fingerprint Deadbolt Lock, (800) 327-LOCK, www.kwikset.com. The SmartScan stores up to 50 different user fingerprints and is activated by simply swiping a valid fingerprint across its sensor, and you can delete the neighbor's fingerprint after you return. The SmartScan is powered by four AA batteries, has a manufacturer's list price of $199 and is available at many home and hardware centers.

Even if you have solid entry doors with deadbolts, burglars often just kick in the door to gain entry to the home, and even the strongest locks may not be foolproof. An added precaution is to get a Door Jamb Armor kit from Armor Concepts, (888) 582-2294, www.djarmor.com, that makes entry doors kick-proof. The kit contains a 48-inch-long steel jamb shield that prevents the door jamb from splitting when kicked,and hinge shields that reinforce the jamb on the hinge side. Prices start at $124.95 and the kit is available direct from the manufacturer.

In addition to your entry door, the door walls and sliding windows in the family room or back of the house are also among the most popular entry points for burglars. If you're normal, you think getting a strong wood or metal dowel rod from your local hardware store and dropping it into the track can stop someone from opening the door or window. Bars or sticks placed in the track do not protect your door from being lifted out of the track. Another product from Armor Concepts is a sliding door deadbolt. The Armor Latch locks sliding doors in place two ways and comes in white, black, brass and stainless for $39.95.

If you follow these tips, you won't have to worry as much on your vacation. Now get organized and ready for your trip. But remember to pack up the car or SUV in the privacy of your garage rather than in your driveway. After taking all these security precautions, it doesn't make sense to announce to the entire neighborhood that you are leaving on vacation.

Note: This article was accurate at the date of publication. However, information contained in it may have changed. If you plan to use the information contained herein for any purpose, verification of its continued accuracy is your responsibility.

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