How to Keep Your Apartment Safe When on Vacation

As nice as it would be to escape all of life’s realities when you set off for a vacation, you need to be mindful to keep your apartment safe while you’re gone. By employing a few simple precautions and using some common sense, you’ll be able to embark on a worry-free vacation.

Step One: Unplug All Appliances and Electronics

Though it’s unlikely a fire would occur, it’s always a good idea to turn off and unplug your appliances and electronics to prevent one from starting. Right before you leave, go around the apartment and pull all cords from the walls. It won’t take much time and you won’t have to worry about any fire-related catastrophes occurring while you’re gone. A little effort goes a long way. 

Step Two: Hide Your Valuables

Now that your appliances are unplugged, move anything of significant value, such as a flat screen television or expensive computer, out of the line of sight from all windows. You don’t want to give anyone peering in through a window a reason to want to enter and steal something. Best to remove all temptation from the line of vision. Go ahead and also place smaller valuables, like any jewelry you may own, in a secure spot. You may feel silly hiding your belongings, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Step Three: Ask Your Neighbors to Keep an Eye out

If you are acquainted with your neighbors and feel comfortable enlisting their help, let them know you’ll be out of town. Have them keep an eye on the place while you’re gone, even if it’s something as simple as watching out for anything suspicious. They can also check for any mail delivered to your door–it’s just another way to make the place appear as if it isn’t vacant.

Step Four: Use Timed Lights

A great precautionary security measure you can take is setting one or two lights in your apartment on a timer. Doing so will make the place look as if someone is home and ward off any potential thieves. Set the lights so that they go on for a couple of hours in the evening and turn off before midnight.

Step Five: Double-Check All Doors and Windows

Before you head out, go around to every door and window in your unit to ensure each one is locked securely. Seems like common sense, but often times the things that seem most obvious are the ones that end up being overlooked. Locking doors and windows is the easiest way to prevent any break-ins while you’re on vacation.

Step Six: Draw Your Blinds

While you’re away, there is no reason to leave your blinds or curtains open. Make sure they’re drawn on all windows and doors. Again, it’s another way to remove temptation. If potential thieves can’t see the great things you keep inside, they’re less likely to try to come in.

Taking measures to keep your apartment safe is important. Not only will doing so provide for a more relaxing vacation, it’ll prevent any unfortunate surprises when you return.

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Rachael Weiner: I’m a communications professional for a non-profit, which financially necessitates my status as an apartment dweller. Constantly “on-the-go,” I’ve resided in five different apartments across the United States over the past five years. Roommate issues, budgeting, organizing and handling problem neighbors are my specialty.