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HOME / SHERIFF'S OFFICE / VACATION TIPS

Benton County Sheriff's Office – Vacation Safety Tips

Imagine returning home from a wonderful vacation and finding your front door slightly ajar and as the door swings open it reveals that your house is in shambles. You’ve been the victim of a burglary.

This scenario plays out in Benton County too many times during the vacation time of the year. But it isn’t just the property loss and damage that is the injury. It is the fact that your private space has been invaded and you now have doubts about how really safe and secure your family and property really is. Insurance can help replace stolen goods and restore damage, but it doesn't help with the lingering feelings of vulnerability that occurs when your home has been burglarized.

Whether you leave for the weekend or for several months, here are steps you can take to minimize the chances of becoming a victim of burglary and theft:

Before you Leave on Vacation

1. Ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on your residence while you are away. Leave them a key in order to check your house regularly. Give them your itinerary of your trip so they can reach you in an emergency. Ask if they may be willing to park on of their cars in your driveway and change curtain positions as if you were home (versus leaving them closed).

2. Stop mail and paper deliveries unless you have made other arrangements with neighbors. Any accumulation is a sure sign that the resident is away.

3. Use an answering machine for missed calls. Never leave the message that you are out of town and the date you are returning.

4. Be sure the garage doors are locked and electric door openers are unplugged. Vehicles in your garage should also be locked and the keys stored in a safe location.

5. Consider connecting your indoor and outdoor lights to an automatic timer in order to give the appearance that someone is home.

6. If you mow and rake on a steady time schedule, have someone continue this while you’re away. Have that trusted neighbor take your trash can out or put one of their own in front of your house.

The trick is to secure and leave your home looking as though you have never left. If you have questions regarding home security or are interested in obtaining a free home security survey conducted by our Auxiliary Volunteer Unit, contact the Benton County Sheriff’s Office at 541-766-6858.