Protect Your Home While You're Away: Tips and Tricks

Leaving your home unattended, whether for a few hours or several days, can be a source of stress. Not only is your home your biggest investment, but leaving it vacant can also make it a target for break-ins. But don't worry, there are several ways to make it look like someone is home even when you're not.

You could always choose to never leave your house again to deter burglars, but that's not very practical. Instead, try these tips to make it look like someone is still living in your home:

#1 Control Your Lights from Afar

Old-fashioned lighting timers are still effective, but using apps can be more fun and realistic. With apps, you can control your lights remotely and even set them to turn on and off randomly for a more authentic effect. One affordable option is the Lutron Caséta Wireless system, which costs about $80 for the device and $55 per switch. This system replaces your wall switches with wireless ones and allows you to "talk" to your lights from afar.

#2 Create a Fake TV Binge

The glow of a television is a classic sign that someone is home. You can create this effect even when you're away with a FakeTV device. These devices, which cost between $20 and $40 depending on size, project a colorful light onto a curtain to create the illusion of someone watching TV. They can be set on a timer or work with a light sensor to turn on automatically when it gets dark.

#3 Adjust Your Window Shades

Remotely If your window shades are always down, it can signal to burglars that no one is home. Look into wireless shade systems like Hunter Douglas PowerView, Pella Insynctive, or Lutron Serena, which allow you to control your shades remotely. These systems cost about $300 to $500 per window.

#4 Make Some Noise

Burglars don't like encountering any sign of life inside a home, so a noise app like Sleep And Noise Sounds can help deter them. This app can play sounds like vacuuming or a boiling kettle on a homebound phone, tablet, or computer. The noises can give the impression that someone is home and keep burglars at bay.

#5 Install a Video Doorbell

The Ring Video Doorbell, which costs $180 for the basic model, allows you to answer the door from anywhere. If someone rings the doorbell, you can talk to them through an app on your phone. Even if you're not home, you can tell them you're in the basement, and they'll never know. Plus, the video doorbell lets burglars know they're being watched.

#6 Employ a No-Tech Strategy

Not every home security strategy requires technology. Here are some ideas to increase your home's security without using any gadgets:

• Hire a house sitter to stay in your home.
• Ask a neighbor to shovel your walkway or water your plants while you're away.
• Invite friends or family to use your patio or yard.
• Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway.
• Install a fake security camera for as low as $8.
• Get a real dog. Dogs are great security guards and deter burglars even when you're not home.