Keeping Your Vermont Home Safe And Secure

Vermont is well-known as a safe, community-oriented state. While this reputation is in some ways well-founded, it is a bit of an exaggeration to think your home is safe just because you live in Vermont.

Lock your doors. One mistake that many Vermont homeowners make is to leave their doors unlocked. Thinking the neighborhood is safe, they leave the house open to theft and vandalism. This is an invitation to intruders. And don’t bother locking your doors if you are going to put your house key under a rock by the door or in the mailbox. Both experienced and inexperienced thieves alike are wise to this trick. Don’t just lock your front door. Make sure to secure your side and back doors, as well.

Lock your windows, too. If a thief finds your doors unlocked, he or she is likely to climb in the window. So, make sure you close the latches on your windows before you leave. Of course, a thief may not want to climb in your window in broad daylight in the front of the house. That is why it is even more important to make sure your windows are locked at night. Also, you should make sure to secure your windows on the sides of the house that are not so visible from the street. Those are the entry points a thief is likely to choose.

Make sure to have your neighbors or a friend check up on your house daily when you are away. Have them collect your mail for you. Ask them to drive by once or twice a day, just to make sure that there has been no vandalism or forced entry. This informal surveillance can go a long way in helping you feel more secure about leaving your house for a day, a weekend, or even a week. Remember, even in friendly Vermont it pays to be safe.