It's that time of the year - Summertime and vacations. This year things may be a little different with Covid-19 and quarantine life in full effect. Some may not be traveling this summer, while others can not wait since they have been cooped up these past several months. What ever the case may be here is a checklist of items to consider for your safety weather you and your family are sheltering in place or hitting the road on vacation. Be Safe and keep security in mind.
Here a few items to review and consider. Take a moment to walk around your home and do a visual inspection. This list is a guideline and other items should be considered.
Vacation Security Checklist
Replace burnt out light bulbs
Replace broken screens, latches, and windowpanes.
Secure gates and sheds.
Trim shrubbery.
Don’t hide house keys outside.
Give a neighbor a spare key. Ask them to get mail and newspapers, put trash cans in front of your house on trash day, mow and rake the lawn, and/or park in the driveway.
Turn off iron, ice-maker, electronics, and phone ringer.
Leave automatic sprinklers on, put timers on lamps, and install motion-activated lights outside.
Leave draperies open slightly on upper floors.
Don’t announce your absence with answering machine messages, notes on the door and be caution with social media posts.
Remove garage door openers and house keys from cars.
Put valuables in safe-deposit box.
Reach out to the HOA or neighbors to see if there is a Neighborhood Watch in place.
Inform your local police that you'll be away.
Local Police Departments for Effingham, Chatham and Bryan County :
Bloomingdale Police Department (912) 748-8302
Pooler Police Department (912) 748-7333
Rincon Police Department (912) 754-8119
Springfield Police Department (912) 754-3061
Guyton Police Department (912) 772-8745
Savannah Police Department (912) 651-6675
Port Wentworth Police Department (912) 964-4360
Garden City Police Department (912) 966-7770
Chatham County Police Department (912) 652-6920