This post was originally published on July 8, 2014 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

With all the excitement of great weather and activity-packed days, it is easy to let safety precautions fall by the wayside.

However, summer is no exception when it comes to crime and accidents. To help ensure a safe and fun time out in the sun and away from home, consider these summer safety tips:

Protecting Your Home While on Vacation

Long beach days, weeks away on vacation, overnight visits to the in-laws—whatever the reason may be, summertime is known to lure families out of the home for an extended period. But before you set sail to paradise, you want to make sure your home is protected.

When the temperatures rise, so do the burglaries. Home burglaries tend to be highest in the summertime, particularly between June and August. Summertime is the perfect time for thieves because that’s when we spend the most time away from home and leave our windows and doors open. 

With that in mind, always make sure to lock up when leaving. Secure windows and doors, tuck valuables out of sight and arm your security system. Smart locks are a great security feature to have because you can lock your house from anywhere. So, if you left your home and forgot to lock the back door, smart locks have you covered. You can even let someone in to check on a pet, water plants, etc.

You can also ask neighbors, friends or relatives to swing by the house a few times a week to pick up mail, newspapers, and packages. This will help maintain the appearance that the home is active. Likewise, you can install smart doorbells to periodically view your main entrances and answer the door even when you’re not home. Video cameras can help you check in on your home as well.

Moreover, smart lights help further the illusion that someone is home. With home automation and remote access, scheduling light timers is a breeze. You can even access your thermostat to ensure you don’t drive up the electric bill while away.

Stay-Cation Security

You don’t always have to get away to relax. Sometimes everything you need for a relaxing week off is right at your home. If a stay-cation is more in line with your summer plans, consider the safety precautions that pertain to you.

As you sit on your back patio or at your neighborhood pool, safeguard your home by locking your front door with smart locks. Furthermore, keep an eye on the front of your home with remote access for your outdoor video surveillance cameras, where video feeds appear right on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

To get the best bird’s eye view, strategically place your security cameras to cover your home’s primary points of entry. And if you have a swimming pool, make sure you have a camera looking over, so you can keep an eye on the kids even if you’re not there. Or, add a sensor to your pool gate to trigger a notification on your phone when someone enters or leaves the pool area.

Personal Summer Safety Tips

Certain personal summer safety precautions are more pertinent to the warmer months than other times of the year. When out in the summer sun, always remember to:

  • Keep hydrated, especially when outside for an extended period of time.
  • Wear hats, seek shade, and use sunblock when possible.
  • Understand the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness, and seek assistance immediately if you are feeling unwell.
  • Plan active outdoor outings early in the morning or late afternoon to mitigate the risks of heat exposure.
  • Allow yourself the time to warm up and cool down so you don’t shock your body when exerting energy in extreme heat conditions.
  • If you own a pool, educate children on pool safety, and always have an adult supervising the pool area.

Enjoy the nice summer weather while keeping home safety at the top of your mind. Learn how Vector Security can keep your home protected this summer and beyond by contacting us today!