Vacations are meant to be relaxing, restorative and restful. Limiting problems and avoiding headaches would go a long way to make your vacation the pleasure it was meant to be. There are a few things that you can do before leaving home which might assure this outcome and HSMC has compiled a few hints that could help.

Safety Tips

• Make sure that all doors and windows are securely locked and the alarm system is engaged when leaving your premises.
• Give your home a "lived-in" look while you're away. Don't leave the drapes or blinds closed and don't leave all the lights off, etc.
• Notify the local authorities that you will be gone and tell them the duration of your absence. Ask them if they can make extra patrols by the property during that time.
• Notify the Monitoring Central Station that you will be gone and tell them the duration of your absence. Give them any phone numbers to use in order to reach you in the event of an emergency at your property.
• Never bring large sums of cash with you - travelers' checks are preferable.
• Have the security lights within the building come on and go off automatically at appropriate times during each twenty-four hour interval. For optimum results, have different lights go on and off on alternate days. It is especially effective to use a bedroom or bathroom light, if it can be seen from the outside of the building.
• Be sure to suspend all regular deliveries to the building, such as mail, daily newspaper, etc.
• Do not leave a message on your answering machine indicating that you are away from the premises - this is an open invitation to any "would be" intruder.
• Arrange for a trusted contact person to have a key to your property - like a neighbor, friend, relative, etc. Make certain that they understand how to operate your alarm system.
• Make sure a trusted contact person knows where you are going and when you will return.
• Leave all phone numbers of where you can be reached in the event of an emergency with the necessary person(s).
• Arrange to have the property mowed and watered or plowed and shoveled while you are away.
• Have the building checked frequently while you're away and, if possible, arrange the visits to be made at varied times during the day or evening.
• Have someone regularly pick-up any parcels, circulars or other such items that may be left at, or delivered to, the property during your absence.