Are you getting ready for Labor Day weekend, that “last hurrah” before the fall season officially begins? If you have travel plans then, or if you are planning on traveling during the fall/winter holidays, I’ve got some tips to share with you to help keep your home secure, courtesy of Master Lock.
Before you load the family into the car or hop on a plane, Master Lock has developed a series of travel tips to ensure your vacation is an ideal time spent making lasting memories. To help avoid stress and frustration before, during or after a trip, follow these four guidelines:
1. Secure all points of entry to your home, including dead bolting doors, windows, sliding glass doors and garage/shed doors to bolster your home’s security. If you have an alarm system in place, be sure it is activated before departing. Leaving just one of these areas open or unlocked can lead to theft.
2. Keep your home active. Whether you’ve hired a dog walker or a neighbor is headed over to water plants and pick up deliveries, ensuring your home still appears to have people coming and going regularly can deter thieves. Store your house key in a key safe such as the Master Lock 5400D Key Safe to allow these individuals to easily enter and exit your home, locking it up as they leave. Make sure these approved visitors know the code to your home alarm system, if applicable, so they can deactivate it and reset it after finishing their tasks. If you do not have anyone visiting your property while you’re away, consider placing lights on a timer and stopping your mail delivery by visiting www.usps.com.
3. Lock up your luggage. Airports are full of people and distractions. Items can be easily stolen from bags while awaiting your flight’s departure, or before you pick up checked luggage from the baggage claim area. A TSA-accepted lock like the Master Lock 4688D luggage lock will help keep your possessions safe while in transit and allow you to move through security lines with ease.
4. Secure important items in your room. Whether you’re staying in a hotel, cabin or resort — it’s important to lock up valuables when not in your room. A secure document storage or cash box will help ensure your passport, traveler’s checks, cash and jewelry safe while you and your family enjoy the sights and sounds of your destination. If you’re taking your small valuables out and about with you, consider a Master Lock 5900D Safe Space to keep your belongings secure while you’re on the go.
About Master Lock
Master Lock is the world’s largest manufacturer of padlocks and related security products providing innovative security solutions for home, automotive, campus, power sports, bike and storage security needs for consumers and contractors alike.
Win it!: Just in time for end-of-summer travel plans, one lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win the Master Lock 5400D Key Safe which is mentioned in tip #2! The contest will run until September 3rd at 11:59pm EST when a winner will be selected via Random.org. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning notification before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is selected. Open to residents of the United States. Limit one entrant per household, please.
Mandatory entry: Share any tip you have for keeping your home or your possessions safe when traveling. What do you do?
My answer: We use light timers to keep lights turning on and off at different times in our house.
Additional entries:
1. Sponsor love: Follow Master Lock on Twitter
2. Blogger love: Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter
Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my blog.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
Time the lights to make it look like someones home!
We use timers, a security system, neighbors checking for mail and packages and a cool video camera we can watch via internet.
Thanks for the giveaway…we take full advantage of our hotel’s front desk safe for valuables !
senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com
Thanks for the great contest!
bahjeep@aol.com
When I travel by air or train I always lock my suitcases together. I figure it will be more distracting and annoying to try to steal something that is locked together with something else. At the very least, I’m hoping the struggle would cause someone to realize that this is occurring and it would stop the behavior. At least I hope so!
How about a timer to turn on your radio occasionally while you’re gone–and put it close to a main door?
I Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter
I Follow Master Lock on Twitter
To keep your home safe make sure TRUSTED neighbors know your gone and when you’ll be back
We tell our neighbors, and have one of them bring in the paper.
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dresdenrain
spcale at yahoo dot com.
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dresdenrain
spcale at yahoo dot com.
When we travel, this may be crazy, but I bring little locks and lock all the sutcases and then lock them all together also. I have had too many things stolen not to take all precautions I can.
spcale at yahoo dot com.
I have a friend come in to check on my house so that people see some activity.
i have someone house sit when we go away and my barking dogs are a good deterrent also
follow THEM twitter
brich2222
brich22 at earthlink dot net
follow you twitter
brich2222
brich22 at earthlink dot net
If the room has a security box then we use it. Otherwise we leave valuables at fron desk
brich22 at earthlink dot net
I take only what I have to have when I travel.
tahearn at roadrunner dot com
follow master lock on twitter (Clair Freebie)
follow you on twitter (Clair Freebie)
everything is locked up and i make sure to use no personal information as the password!!
followed stuff parents need on twitter :]
follow master lock on twitter :]
i let neighbors know i will be gone, hold the mail and ask police to keep an eye out plus DONT post anywhere that you are leaving
I follow you on twitter
jwtawny
I follow master lock company on twitter
jwtawny
I have a friend pick up the newspapers and mail
Asking neighbors to help and holding the mail so it doesn’t pile up
I am following Stuff Parents Need on Twitter.
I am following Master Lock on twitter.
We usually have a family member stay at the house while we are on vacation. It leaves us feeling secure plus we can leave the pets at home too
We also use timers on lamps to have lights turn on and off. We also ask someone to drive on our driveway if it’s winter time to leave tracks in the snow.
I follow Master Lock on Twitter (@shala_darkstone).
I follow you on Twitter (@shala_darkstone).
We also use light timers, and we have helpful neighbors who bring in our newspapers and mail.
My familyy stops and checks on the house
follow masterlock @sunshyne1977
follow you @sunshyne1977
I always have the mail stopped if longer then a weekend and my dad will drop by
follow them on twitter @eaglesforjack
follow u on twitter @eaglesforjack
I always lock up everything, notify my neighbors, and leave a car in the driveway and a light in the livingroom on a timer as well. eaglesforjack@gmail.com
I follow Master Lock on Twitter (Marysa1)
Marysa {at} marysa {dot} com
I follow you on Twitter (Marysa1)
Marysa {at} marysa {dot} com
When we traveled to South America, we bought a pack that had wire mesh built in, so that it could not be slashed. We always have someone watch the house while we are away.
Marysa {at} marysa {dot} com
We are fortunate because our oldest son lives with us…so he ,of course,brings in the mail…he is very conscious about keeping house doors locked plus we have a small dog with a big bark lol thanks
Following you on Twitter
@fatmeatloaf1
Following Master Lock on Twitter
@fatmeatloaf1
When traveling I keep my cash and passport, etc in a small purse around my neck that i keep UNDER my shirt.
I’m following Stuff Parents Need on Twitter.
@LaDyBuq021708
LittleLadybug_17(at)yahoo(dot)com
I Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter @s8r8l33
s8r8l33 at yahoo dot com
I’m following Master Lock on Twitter.
@LaDyBuq021708
LittleLadybug_17(at)yahoo(dot)com
I Follow Master Lock on Twitter @s8r8l33
s8r8l33 at yahoo dot com
We set our lights to timers and have someone grab the mail, let the dogs out a few times a day and check on the house.
s8r8l33 at yahoo dot com
We have family stop by our house to check on things and collect our mail.
LittleLadybug_17(at)yahoo(dot)com
leave lights on
Here are my tips:
Set a couple of timers to have lights go on and off in your house.
Tell someone you trust in your neighborhood that you’ll be away, but don’t tell anyone you don’t trust.
Don’t post on Twitter or Facebook that you’re going to be out of town!
We lock all doors and windows, have a ligth timer, and sometimes ask a close friend or neighbor to check in for us!
Cassie
cjm92995@yahoo.com
Follow you on twitter – sabvac
Follow master lock on twitter – sabvac
We set our house alarm that is monitored by an alarm company.
I follow you on twitter @Ericka082
ericka082 at gmail dot com
I follow Master Lock Company on twitter @Ericka082
ericka082 at gmail dot com
We just recently went out of town for a couple days and we had someone stay here at our home that is a very trust worthy person
ericka082 at gmail dot com
We alwaays tell the neighborhood police when we are out of town.
We always make sure to put a hold on our mail when we go out of town to keep our home safer
We tell the neighbors and ask them to keep an eye on the house.
We have a family member stop by everyday who takes in mail and turns on a diff. Light. Looks as if we are still there.
The neighbors always keep an eye out plus we have a very large dog in the yard!!
We make sure we get someone to pick up the newspapers.
Following Stuff Parents Need on twitter: jashelep
Follow Master Lock on twitter: jashelep
We set our lights to timers and have someone grab the mail and check on the house .
I follow you on twitter
We have neighbors watch our house while we’re away
I follow Master Lock on twitter. @poniabaum
I follow you on twitter. @poniabaum
I stop mail delivery and ask a neighbor to keep an eye
following you on twitter as o0tiffyo0
following Master Lock on twitter as o0tiffyo0
I always make sure the neighbors know I will be away and for how long so they can keep an eye out and then I have a friend or family member come by at least once while Im gone (I usually tell the neighbor who and what their car looks like)
I am following via Twitter as jlsc123.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
We have an alarm system that is linked to our police department.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
follow you on twitter
robinlscott
follow masterlock on twitter
robinlscott
We usually have a friend or family check on the house and yard daily, pick up the mail, newspaper, or stop the mail or newspaper.
I follow you on twitter as @AFTolar.
supaflychikenpi2 AT gmail DOT com
I follow Master Lock on twitter as @AFTolar.
supaflychikenpi2 AT gmail DOT com
Keep your possessions right with you at all times and do not let them out of your sight. Watch for strangers bumping into you.
supaflychikenpi2 AT gmail DOT com
follow you on twitter @Ashbug622
follow master lock on twitter @Ashbug622
We make sure everything is locked up & have friends or family stop by to check on things if we are gone longer than the weekend.
We have our neighbors look out and we have friends/family check in.
Following you on Twitter
@mtdoonmeister
mtdoonmeister @ gmail dot com
Following @MasterLockCo on Twitter
@mtdoonmeister
mtdoonmeister @ gmail dot com
Frequent drive-bys by friends; if I am only out of town for a short while, my dogs pretty much stop anyone from approaching the house – by barking.
I follow Master Lock on Facebook as danadenay. dmatthews38751@yahoo.com
I follow you on Twitter as danadenay. dmatthews38751@yahoo.com
I have a relative to come by every couple of days and check the mail and check things out. dmatthews38751@yahoo.com
I take my jewelry with me.
I follow you on Twitter! (@mssluna02)
I follow MasterLock on Twitter (@mssluna02)
I have my lights on an auto-timer, plus I have someone collect the mail and open/close the shades and drapes.
I follow Stuff Parents Need on twitter as amybee3
amybrown16 (at) insightbb (dot) com
I follow Master Lock on twitter as amybee3
amybrown16 (at) insightbb (dot) com
We make sure everything is locked and then we have a neighbor keep an eye on things and come over every once in a while so that it looks like someone is home.
amybrown16 (at) insightbb (dot) com
Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter (@BriellePrincess)
ginaferrell3 at yahoo dot com
Follow Master Lock on Twitter (@BriellePrincess)
ginaferrell3 at yahoo dot com
We use light timers to keep lights on, my mom or dad picks up the mail & newspaper, have the neighbors watch the house and I also have an home alarm system.
ginaferrell3 at yahoo dot com
Have the neighbors pick up the mail & newspaper so they don’t pile up, signaling no one is home
Thanks for the giveaway 
We have several lights on a timer and if we will be gone for an extended time the brother-in-law checks on the house.
We get a neighbor to look over our house and we leave some lights on -
I Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter
I Follow Master Lock on Twitter
We have real close neighbors that look after things.
follows tiffany on twitter
follows master lock on twitter
I make sure everything is locked and I turn on the house alarm when I leave
Following Stuff Parents Need on Twitter @lyndacooks
lyndaclark81(at)yahoo(dot)com
Following Master Lock on Twitter @lyndacooks
lyndaclark81(at)yahoo(dot)com
I always make sure that someone checks on the house or stays at the house when we are away for any length of time and I also set timers for lights to go off and on at different times so someone looking from outside will think there are people home.
lyndaclark81(at)yahoo(dot)com
I follow you on twiter as ptowngirl.
smchester at gmail dot com
My adult son usually comes and stays when we go away.
smchester at gmail dot com
twitter follower as jhitomi
We always use a cat sitter and have her put on lights, pick up newspapers etc so it isn’t obvious that no one is home.
Use light timers, have someone pick up the paper.
I try to spread out my valuables so if one thing is stolen at least the others probably won’t be.
I follow you on Twitter @auntiethesis
I follow Master Lock on Twitter @auntiethesis
Check with your local police department; my department offers free vacation checks. You just fill out a form and drop it off at the station and they’ll check on your house while you’re away and even notify you if something goes wrong.
Following you on twitter (imaroughgem) (jessicapeeling@yahoo.com)
Following Master Lock on twitter (jessicapeeling@yahoo.com)
My dog acts as the alarm system! (jessicapeeling@yahoo.com)
We get a house sitter.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
I stop my mail at the post office – pile-up is a sure sign you’re not home
Put valuables in the back of the freezer.
I have the neighbors watch our property and get our mail for us.
bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
Following you on Twitter @zoekyklos
thanks!
Following Master Lock on Twitter @zoekyklos
I usually just take my valuables with me :}
We stop the mail and use timers for the TV as well as the lights. Thanks!
follow Master Lock on twitter- WeeShare
follow you on twitter– WeeShare
I leave a bin for packages. They are still outside, but not just glaringly laying at my door.
We have trusted neighbors keep an eye on the house, checking inside and out, while we are away.
I follow you on twitter @hreall
I follow master lock on twitter @hreall
We are lucky enough to have my brother stay at our house when we go away
follow you on twitter @minibea
follow Master Lock on twitter @minibea
My son stops by to see that all is well and I have my neighbors keep an eye on things as well.
Have also followed Stuff Parents Need on Twitter.
Have followed Master Lock on Twitter.
I usually get a family member to check on my house.
We have auto start in our vehicle. As anyone knows, getting into a very hot vehicle vehicle in 105 degree plus heat is not safe until the AC cools it down. We use our auto start where the truck remains locked and our car keys remain with us until we are ready to get into the truck. Which last about 15 mins, two times to auto start it and then have to then put the key in. For me, I like this feature. Especially with children as I don’t have to worry about getting into a warm vehicle and they sweat or in winter situations, too cold until heater or AC makes a comfort temp.
clc_little_britches@yahoo dot com
We have an alarm system
Kims2312@verizon.net
I follow you on twitter
I follow Master Locks on twitter
we have someone keep watch of our home while away
Following master lock on Twitter as renfie
renfie.fields@gmail.com
I have my sister and her boyfriend check on the house daily.
renfie.fields@gmail.com
Stuff Parents Need Twitter Follower
Master Lock Twitter follower
I always get a neighbor to keep an eye on my house and lock it up tight!