It can be really exciting to travel to faraway destinations, but leaving one's home unoccupied can be unsettling considering that it may be a tempting target for criminals. The Alhambra Police Department Vacation House Check program, a free service, is offered to give vacationing or hospitalized residents of single-family homes or duplexes greater peace of mind during their absence. Homes are periodically checked by uniformed Alhambra volunteers who stop by periodically to conduct a foot patrol of the property to ensure that the home is secured and windows and doors are locked and undamaged. Fill out the form below to request a vacation house check.
While there is no guarantee against loss, theft, or damage, the Vacation House Check program is one additional measure residents can take to help ensure the safety of their homes. The program is available for those whose homes will be unoccupied from 5 to 21 days. In addition, the home must not be occupied for any length of time during the requested dates of service.
Steps to Take Prior to Going Away to Help Protect Your Property
- Leave a light or stereo/TV on or use a timer for your lights if you will be away for a full day or longer.
- Put a secondary lock on all windows and close drapes, especially in rooms where there is expensive equipment. Avoid thin, sheer drapes as they allow burglars to look inside.
- Safety coat or frost all garage windows. Don't let criminals see when your car is gone.
- Make sure your garage side door is made of solid-core wood, reinforced steel, or fiberglass, and has a deadbolt lock. Padlock the throw-hatch on your garage door when you're out of town and invest in a keychain remote opener.
- Remove shrubs and trees from in front of windows so they can't hide possible intruders. Plant rose bushes or other thorny plants in front of all vulnerable windows.
- Install motion detectors in areas where no one should be. This way, you know something isn't right when they go off.
- Install a security system.
- Have the post office hold your mail while you are on vacation.
- Identify your valuables by engraving your drivers' license number on them. Photograph and record the serial numbers of all valuables.
- Pretend to be a burglar. Walk around your property and ask yourself: How would I break-in? Examine your house from the street, where are the blind spots? What are the most vulnerable areas? Stand outside the windows and look in, make sure no valuables are visible. Most burglaries occur during the day through the back and side doors when you are away.
Request hold mail service