Even going as far back as the Romans, people needed a word to describe taking a break from the daily grind.
If you trace the origin of the word "vacation," you see that the Latin "vacatio” means "freedom," "exemption," or "to be without a master." But the Latin root, "vac," hints at a sense of anxiety beneath the carefree meaning of "vacatio." The root "vac" means "empty," and when referring to property, it means: "to be vacant," "to have no master."
So while you are out of town enjoying your freedom, and being without a boss, your home is vacant, and without its master. We don’t know if the Romans also struggled with opportunistic thieves who struck while someone was enjoying his "vacatio," but it is certainly a problem we have today. However, you can take preventative security measures so you can actually enjoy your vacation without worrying as much about returning to an empty home.
Security Systems: A First Line of Defense
Installing a home security system should be your first step toward helping to secure your house while you are away for extended periods of time. Of course, a security system is only as good as its monitoring service, so make sure the company you choose has 24-hour home security monitoring. Without 24-hour monitoring, a home security system is not much more than a wall decoration since the system has no way to call for help or alert authorities.
Many houses and apartments these days already have some kind of security system installed. If that's true of your residence, make sure you are registered or subscribed with that system's home monitoring service. If you are unsure whether the home monitoring is activated, call the service number located on the keypad itself.
If you are unfamiliar with the company that provides the home security system or monitoring services, don't be afraid to shop around. Many home security companies offer worthwhile discounts if you switch to their home security system and monitoring services.
Other Home Security Precautions
A monitored home security system can help keep an eye on your house while you're away, but you should also take some other steps to maintain the appearance that nothing is out of the ordinary.
You should have lights on timers located throughout the house. It's best if the timers can turn the lights on and off in a sporadic or random manner that imitates a person's typical use of lights. Many light timers on the market these days have this ability built in to reduce guesswork and achieve the desired effect. (On the topic of lighting and home security, a good general home security tip is to have outdoor spotlights with motion-activated sensors.)
Another way to keep up the appearance that you are home is to put a hold on your newspaper subscriptions and postal delivery so that neither pile up. Alternatively, you can have a friend or trusted neighbor pick these up daily so no one can tell that you're not at home.
Before you leave your home for your relaxing vacation, double-check all doors and windows to make sure they are securely closed and locked. Feel free to save yourself a little money by adjusting your heat or air conditioner before you leave. If you have a programmable thermostat, you can even program it to return to your preferred temperature just before you come home so that the temperature inside is comfortable when you arrive home again. And, be sure to activate your monitored home security system!
Finally, it's best to tell only the people who absolutely have to know that you will be away on a vacation. This includes your employer (of course), and any trusted friends, family members, or neighbors who help look after your home while you're gone. Everyone else can find out after you get back and show them all the pictures of how much fun you had!
About the Author
 Broadview Security offers state-of-the-art home security monitoring services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No matter whether you are home or not, you can help protect your home with one of the most advanced home alarm systems in the world today! Police, fire and medical emergency agencies can be notified and on their way in the event of a home invasion, fire or medical emergency! Click here to schedule an appointment for your FREE home security system needs analysis, or give us a call now at 1-800-379-9194. A knowledgeable Broadview Security specialist can recommend the home security system ideal for helping protect your family and home.
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