Vacations are essential for sanity. Before embarking on a trip, you meticulously map out your itinerary, including your intended destination, intended mode of transportation, and intended activities. Why wouldn't you also think about what would happen to your house while you're gone?
Extra security measures, while your condo is quiet, will provide you with greater peace of mind and allow you to completely enjoy your long-anticipated getaway.
If you're concerned about burglary and fires, we prepared a list of tips on securing a condo home that will help you feel safer. When it comes to condo security, we're here to help so you will be able to unwind and enjoy yourself on your well-deserved vacation.
Securing Your Condo Home
These tips will help you improve your condo safety before you leave town and genuinely enjoy your vacation. It may take some work and investment, but adopting these precautions now can save you a lot of grief down the line.
Invest in CCTV cameras.
Monitored security systems ensure your property is continuously being protected. You can keep tabs on your condo even if you're hundreds of kilometers away with smart home apps.
Your smartphone, PC, or tablet can receive real-time video feeds from security cameras. You can also receive alerts if something goes wrong. The use of surveillance cameras may often stop theft in its tracks. If you have security cameras outside, many would-be robbers will avoid your home.
Befriend your neighbors.
Build relationships and locate trusted confidants in your absence. It is less common for burglaries to occur in closely-knit communities since strangers tend to stand out.
When you're away from your condo, make sure your neighbors know about your vacation and ask them to keep a close eye on any suspicious activities in your unit. While you're away, an alert neighbor can call the authorities if they notice any unusual activities.
Keep your vacation secret from the general public.
Keep your social media accounts clear of any posts suggesting that you're out of town. Despite the temptation, you should wait to share your vacation photos online until after you return home. If you can't help yourself, restrict who may see your postings to only your closest pals and avoid mentioning when you'll be gone.
Check the batteries in all of your home security devices and ensure they are working properly.
Even though it's a no-brainer, most people often forget it. Before you leave, be sure to check the batteries in all of your security and safety devices—such as smoke detectors—and replace any that are low. Test to make sure that all of your smoke sensors are functioning properly.
Unplug non-essential appliances from their sockets.
You'll save money and prevent fire accidents by unplugging non-essential equipment such as TVs, fans, heaters, and lamps. Electrical surges, that can short out equipment or start fires, can be prevented.
Keep your valuables in a safe and hard-to-see place.
Hide your valuables in locations that aren't obvious. Most valuables should never be left in the home at all, but if you must leave some money and expensive objects in a visible position, your second-best strategy is to spread them out among multiple locations that are difficult to access.
Burglars would have a very difficult time finding what they're searching for no matter how they got in. A thief isn't fond of spending too much time in one place. If he needs more than 10 minutes to go through your belongings, he'll probably leave.
Clean your fridge.
You'll want to clean out your fridge and remove any leftover food that may spoil while you're gone. This is also a good opportunity to clean out all of the surfaces and discard any expired condiments or other things. If you're emptying your fridge, leave it unplugged with the doors ajar.
Check your insurance.
Double-check your household insurance policy. Is it enough to meet your needs? Is it still valid when you're abroad, on an out-of-town trip, or if you have a house-sitter come in every now and then? You may rest assured that you will have a stress-free trip this way.
Consider hiring a house sitter.
Finally, if you're extremely worried about your home being vacant while you're gone, you might want to think about hiring a house sitter to take care of the situation.
A trusted friend or family member might be all you need, or you could contact a firm or agency that provides professional house-sitting services. Regular household chores such as feeding pets, watering plants, and hauling out the garbage could well be handled while you're away, and your home can be kept completely busy to deter intruders.
Condo Security: Advantage of Living in a Lock-and-Leave Community
Condos offer a lock-and-leave lifestyle and the ease and convenience it is unquestionably its greatest strength. The level of comfort and security is unmatched. You'll also benefit from the highest level of safety. It is a fully-staffed community with a security team that screen visitors, accept deliveries, and ensure that unauthorized visitors do not get access to your floor.
It also has surveillance cameras to keep an eye on what's happening inside and outside the building. Entry and exit points, as well as common spaces such as the lobby, corridors, parking lots, and service access, are all equipped with cameras.
There's no need to worry about a huge journey anymore. You can simply get your things together, lock the doors, and head out!
Most of us look forward to vacations in advance since it may be the only time we get to relax for a few days without worrying about work or family obligations. But of course, you want to make sure your home is safe and secure while you're gone from it.
Before you go on vacation, make sure your house is safe by following the tips listed below. This will allow you to relax and enjoy yourself while you're away.
Yes, a lot of things go into a strong and effective condo security strategy, and attempting to address all of them at the same time as you’re arranging a trip might feel daunting. But if you focus on one component of your condo security at a time, you can make the whole process rather stress-free.
Looking for a secured condo to live in? Check out Vista Residences!
Vista Residences is the condominium arm of the country’s largest homebuilder, Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. that offers ready for occupancy, rent-to-own condo, and pre-selling condominium projects in Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Quezon City, Ortigas, Baguio, Cebu, and CDO that are strategically located within major cities, in close proximity to premium universities, transit-oriented locations, and developed business districts.
For more information on Vista Residences, email [email protected], follow @VistaResidencesOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, or call the Marketing Office at 0999 886 4262 / 0917 582 5167.