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The sad reality is that vacant homes are vulnerable to numerous risks. These risks range from natural disasters and suspicious neighborhood activities to fire threats caused by faulty electrical wiring. In some cases, vacant homes even attract intruders. As a homeowner, protecting your house should be your ultimate priority and our checklist can help you secure your vacant house from potential threats.
7 Essential Tips for Securing Vacant Homes
You can take several steps to ensure your home is not a target of unwanted home invasions or any electrical mishap when it’s vacant. Here are seven tips to follow:
- Keep Up with Regular Maintenance
When was the last time you did a thorough maintenance check at your house? While these checks may seem routine when you're living in the house, they can be challenging to maintain once the property is vacant.
Maintenance checks are great for not only saving the home from being labeled as a potential spot for intrusions but also spotting any issues before they become critical. For example, electrical problems can turn into major casualties if not treated beforehand. The only way to spot them early is by conducting regular maintenance checks.
- Ensure Peace of Mind with a Reliable Security System
The key to a safe vacant home is to find a reliable security system that fits your specific needs. If your home is often unoccupied, a system with cameras and motion detectors can be a game-changer. They let you keep an eye on your property remotely, giving you peace of mind. An alarm system with automatic alerts is also worth considering as you get a notification if something goes wrong.
- Secure the Entryways Properly
Secure your property by locking all doors and windows with durable, high-quality hardware. If you’ve just bought a property or are reclaiming it from a tenant, change or rekey the locks.
Even with strong locks, a determined intruder can kick a door open. To make it tougher for them, think about reinforcing your exterior doors. Simple upgrades like metal door jamb shields and hinge shields can be game-changers. Don’t forget the basement windows—they’re a favorite weak spot for burglars.
- Install Motion-Activated Lights to Avoid Uncalled Guests
Most break-ins happen because someone spots an easy opportunity rather than meticulously planning it. That’s why good lighting is such a powerful deterrent. Start by installing motion-activated lights around entry points and along walkways. These lights not only help prevent accidents, such as trips and falls but also catch potential intruders off guard.
For added security, think about setting up interior lights on timers in rooms that face the street. This creates the illusion that someone’s home, even if the place is empty.
- Get to Know Your Neighbors
Take the time to chat with neighbors about your plans for the property. Let them know your goal is to ensure responsible and friendly people move in. When your neighbors trust you, they become an extra set of eyes and ears for your property. Encourage them to reach out if they notice anything unusual which is a win-win situation for everyone.
- Prevent Fire Hazards
Vacant buildings face a higher risk of fire damage, making fire safety measures essential. One of the best steps you can take is installing a reliable fire protection system. These systems can quickly detect fires, limit structural damage, and automatically notify authorities to speed up response times.
However, installing this is just the first step. Ensure it’s always active and in good working order. Regular maintenance can make all the difference in preventing costly losses.
- Make Your Home Pest-Proof
Without anyone around to spot the signs early, what starts as a small pest issue can spiral out of control. To avoid this, take some preventative steps before leaving the property unattended. Clear out any food, water, or anything else that might tempt pests to move in and make themselves at home.
It's smart to check in on the property every so often to look for any signs of an infestation. The sooner you catch a potential problem, the easier it is to handle.
Bottom Line
Vacant homes are a great chance for you to resell them or rent them out for some passive income. Taking care of them can be challenging if not approached properly. However, by keeping a few things in mind—such as regular electrical checks, pest prevention, and a reliable security system—you can ensure your vacant home stays safe.
Author Bio:
Jeson Pitt works with the marketing department of D&F Liquidators and regularly writes to share his knowledge while enlightening people about electrical products and solving their electrical dilemmas. He's got the industry insights that you can count on along with years of experience in the field. Jeson lives in Hayward, CA and loves to explore different cuisines that the food trucks in the Bay area have to offer.
