Tag: lake home security

The Latest in Lake Home Security

Posted on Staff
Man in suit pressing high tech screen with security icons

Whether your lake place is a primary residence or a home away from home, protecting it from break-ins and uninvited house guests should be at the top of your priority list. This security tip is true, especially if the property will be unoccupied this off-season.

It’s always a good idea to ask a friendly neighbor to keep an eye on your property while you’re away. Hire someone to maintain the yard in your absence. Planting thorny shrubbery under your home’s windows and installing an alarm system are great options for keeping your lake place safe, too.

Adding the latest lake home security systems and gadgets to your property can provide you with a little extra peace of mind that your investment is secure while you’re away.

Smart Locks/Keyless Entry

Smart lock on blue glass front door
Photo courtesy of HGTV.

Instead of trying to keep up with who has keys to your home and fretting about finding a safe spot to keep a spare, consider using the latest in security technology for your lake home. 

Replace your traditional locks with keyless entry devices, which can be programmed to recognize multiple unique access codes, reducing the chances of a stolen or copied key.  

Every member of your household can have a user-specific entry ID, safeguarding your property against potential wrongdoers who may try to memorize entry strokes.

Assigning family and friends with personal entry codes can also help you identify who enters your home and when through your device’s accompanying app.

Additional smart lock safety features include password-protected Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, remote accessibility, voice command options, and even fingerprint scanners on some models.

You can purchase most smart locks for less than $275, and installation usually takes less than a day. 

For a list of the top-rated keyless door locks on the market in 2019, check out this helpful PCMag article.

Remote-Access/Controlled Lighting

Smart device with controlled lighting app
Photo courtesy of Protect America.

Creating the illusion that your home is occupied is a simple way to deter burglars and vandals from entering the property while you’re away for the off-season.

Installing remote-access lighting makes this easier by allowing you to turn lights on and off in different areas of the home to mimic your presence.

Most programs allow you to manually program your lights, via your smart home hub or wireless app, to activate and deactivate at specific times throughout the day and in specified areas.

Other options allow you to set your lighting system to “vacation mode,” which will turn your lights on and off randomly. Smart lights can also be set to turn on when they detect motion or sound. 

You can purchase the Caseta Wireless Smart Lighting Dimmer Switch Starter Kit for about $100 at The Home Depot, a relatively inexpensive smart device option.

Lutron’s Caseta wireless devices take roughly 15 minutes to install per dimmer switch, each of which can control up to 17 light bulbs in a single circuit.

Facial Recognition Security Cameras

Facial recognition security camera by Google
Photo courtesy of The Silicon Review.

Security cameras equipped with facial recognition software are the latest lake home security devices to hit the market.

These camera systems alert homeowners when a device registers anyone on the property whose face is not in its user-programmed recognition databank.

Some facial recognition-equipped cameras can also be programmed to monitor specific areas around the house that may be most susceptible to unlawful entry or damage.

More advanced systems offer heat mapping and analysis capabilities and can even alert homeowners when cars with unfamiliar license plates are detected.

Nest smart home devices, like the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor, are among the most popular security camera systems available.

You can purchase this particular model for about $350. However, Nest IQ systems do not include “familiar face alerts” automatically. This bonus feature is accessible through a monthly subscription to Nest Aware.

Subscriptions start at $5 a month.

Do you have a favorite lake home security tip to share? Tell us in our comments section below!

Securing Your Empty Lake Home for the Winter

Posted on Staff

home with chain and lock Making sure your empty lake home is safe in the winter is essential.

Nobody wants to show up when it gets warmer and there be something not working or even come home to an empty place.

It is imperative to lock up and seal everything before you close up shop for the winter. This will keep animals and potential thieves out of your home.

Here are some things you must do so that you can be sure your vacation home will be safe during the winter:

  • Unplug appliances– make sure all TV’s, microwaves and kitchen appliances are all unplugged.
  • Drain the waterlines, and open the faucets to avoid freezing pipes; if you have a pool, make sure to drain it as well.
  • Turn the water heater off and the main water on the exterior of your home as you don’t want your pipes to burst due to freezing.
  • Take out all the trash that is in the house. If there is left over food in the sink or garbage, it will attract mice or other unwanted animals to your home, so be sure to clean up well.
  • Clean out the fridge, pantry and cupboards. Again, if food is left in the house, it will attract bugs and other animals. If you are going to be away from your vacation home for a long time, be sure to not leave any food behind at all, especially in the fridge so that it doesn’t spoil.
  • Turn down your thermostat. Since you won’t be in the home during the winter, just keep the thermostat at a temperature to keep the home from freezing.
  • Store any outdoor furniture on the inside of your home to avoid any missing items, or if there are strong winds, they won’t blow into someone’s house or vehicle.
  • Make sure to lock all your windows and doors in the house. If you have someone nearby that may come by every once in a while just to give the home a look-over, that would be ideal.
  • Have that neighbor also gather your mail for you, or have it forwarded until your return.
  • Purchasing a timed porch light that turns on and off randomly is a great investment in order to make it seem as if your home is being lived in.
  • Consider paying a landscaping company to manage the upkeep of your lawn. If the yard is unkempt and covered with leaves, it gives the impression that no one has been, or will be, at the house anytime soon.

Since you are leaving your vacation home for weeks or even months at a time, you want to take all measures necessary in order to keep it safe and secure.

Following the above steps will give you a peace of mind that your house is going to be the same as when you left it, and without issues.

Many intruders are keen to the fact that people leave their vacation homes in the winter, so making sure that it look as if someone is in the home as much as possible is best, as a thief will pass by the home thinking someone is in it.

 

10 Ways to Protect Your Lake Home from Break-Ins

Posted on Staff

Leaving your home, even if it’s for just a few days can be quite nerve racking because of the rise in home invasions and break ins.

Locking the doors just isn’t enough in this day and age. But lucky for you, there are solutions to help keep your home as secure as possible while you’re gone for the weekend.

man with crowbarIf you want to leave your lake home and be free from anxiety, then just follow a few of the steps below to help protect your lake home from break-ins!

Hold Your Mail

This tip works really well.

If you’re going to be leaving your lake house for longer than three days, it’s vital to call the post office, and inform them that you would like them to hold your mail.

This will prevent a huge build up of mail, which is a sign that you haven’t been home in a few days.

If you don’t have the time to call the post office, or you just don’t feel like it, you can ask a trusted neighbor to pick up your mail for you, on a daily basis.

Creating the illusion that someone is home

Another tip is to leave one or two lights on throughout the house.

If a burglar sees any lights in the home, it’s less likely that they will want to break into the home.

Stay off Social Media

Don’t announce that you will be leaving on social media.

This could be invite someone to break into your house.

Sharing the hard dates and times of when you will be gone on the internet is an easy way to target yourself for a break in.

Have a friend stay over

Another good way to keep your home safe is to invite a friend or relative to stay the night.

Of course, you would want this to be a trusted person. But if someone is in the house there is less of a chance it will be broken into.

Install an alarm

You can install a security system.

Today, there are system which allow you to see home from your own mobile device, in real time.

These types of security systems give you the comfort that your home is safe, right at your finger tips.

Auto time the sprinklers

If your home has a sprinkler system, you can set the timer on for each day.

If an intruder sees a wet lawn, they will most likely think somebody is home and not take the chance of breaking into a house and getting caught.

This is an excellent way to protect your home.

Set up mobile phone camera

Did you know you can now buy cameras that you can see from your phone?

It doesn’t matter if your 1000 miles away. These types of security systems send the stream straight to your phone; not to mention you can also lock doors and turn lights on and off remotely.

Prune your trees and shrubs

If you have high bushes and trees, it will be easier for an intruder to break in.

But a clean looking house with viability in all directions is a safe house.

Use Shades to keep your valuables hidden

You can close all the shades in the house to make sure that anything valuable is hidden.

If an intruder can’t see the items in your house, they will be unsure if breaking into your home is worth the trouble.

Reinforce Old Locks

If you have old locks, make sure to buy ones that look newer and are more sturdy.

An intruder is less likely to try and pick a lock if it looks up-to-date.

Conclusion

Keeping your home safe has never been easier. All you have to do is take a few steps to help put your mind at ease.

Always remember to give a key to a relative or trusted friend, turn your alarm on and leave a few things on in the house.

That will help you keep your house safe while you’re away.

 

Home Security for Your Lake Home While You’re Away

Posted on Glenn S. Phillips

It’s always a good idea to have some form of home security, but it is especially important when you will be away from your place for extended periods of time. The following tips are useful for making sure your lake home is safe and sound while you are away!

Property ManagementHome Security Panel

Property management is used quite often for vacation homes. They will ensure that all the bills are paid on time and that the property remains safe. The company will also ensure that the place is cleaned and in order. It will be ready for your visit when you are ready.

Hiring a Caretaker

Should a property management company not be for you, then hiring a caretaker may be an option to consider. This is when you hire a person to live in the home while you are away.

A contract will be signed that includes the time in which they will live there, what duties they will need to perform while you are away like watering plants, lawn care, and others that you will specify, and it will also include their rate of pay or salary for doing this.

Security Systems

Security systems can be installed for a very reasonable price and as a substitute for having a person at the house. It will alert the police to break-ins, the fire department should the smoke detectors go off, or any other disaster that can occur.

There are some companies that offer the service of visiting the property if there is a reason to if the owner is far away. This will include giving the company a key to the home.

Camera Systems

Camera systems can be installed with another security measure or by itself. The cameras are usually installed at the front door, the back door, the yard, and even at times strategically throughout the house. The cameras will help you keep an eye on the home at any time from anywhere.

Motion Detector Lights

Motion detector lights are the cheapest of security options available. It will deter those who pose a threat from entering the property or home. Thieves can not get away if they are seen. What better to offer them less coverage than installing lights that come on when sensing motion?

It is suggested to have at least once of these measures set into place for your vacation home. However, it is better if you have at least two or more. You spend your money and your time on this home, keep it safe while you are away.