If your exterior door is thin or flimsy you can screw a layer of finish quality plywood to the interior or exterior and stain or paint to match. This will help resist a kick in, but make sure that the hinges are strong enough for the extra weight and that it is fitted to close snuggly. Doors that swing out are vulnerable and need hinges with non-removable pins or special security pins on the hinged door edge to prevent them from being pried open. Don’t rely on a conventional knob lock or old fashioned night latch alone to secure a door, a substantial throw bolt is much safer. If you can’t see visitors through glass in or near the door put a viewer in the door and always avoid opening the door for strangers.
Exterior lighting is important where ever there are dark walkways, driveways or entries. No one should have to exit an auto or arrive on foot and have to walk onto a totally dark property and fumble at the door to get in. Danger from wet leaves, ice or possible prowlers is greatly reduced by a well lit entry. This doesn’t mean one needs to run many expensive lights all night. I recommend a timer or sensor be utilized – there are inexpensive screw in sensors that allow you to use CFL or regular bulbs. These let you to choose how many hours you want the light on. For post or porch lamps that illuminate an area where you want light part or all evening these are ideal but they may need to be reset after a power failure or if someone flips a wall switch controlling the light. You may find a motion detector light that turns the light on when there is movement in the range of the sensor and leaves the light on for your choice of one or several minutes a good option. These are available as both floodlights and conventional style fixtures or as a separate unit to use with your own choice of fixture.
Making it look like someone is always home is a useful tool in thwarting intruders. Don’t make the mistake of leaving one interior light on when you are not home. This won’t fool anyone. Use several timers set for different periods in various areas. You can buy randomized timers that change the time lights go on or off every day to confuse observers if you wish. Consider having lights turn on and off in overlapping sequences between family room, kitchen and bedroom for example or even having an energy efficient television come on for a while to really give the effect of someone at home. Of course don’t leave curtains near ground level open or people can figure out the rooms are unoccupied. Don’t pull all the shades or blinds down so tight that it looks unnaturally sealed up either.
Ask the post office to hold mail, cancel any newspaper deliveries and make sure to have any regular landscaping or snow removal, etc. continued as usual while away so that there are minimal physical clues of being away. Let the police know to keep an eye on your house during their normal patrols. If you have an alarm let the company know or set it on the away or vacation setting as appropriate. If you have a garage that you park in, close and lock it so people cannot tell if a car is in it or not. If you park in a driveway consider asking a trusted neighbor to use the drive if you will not be leaving a car in it.
For fire safety when away unplug any appliances and electronics that you can safely disconnect – computers & peripherals, entertainment devices, window air conditioners, etc. Should there be a power surge these items will not be damaged and there is no chance they can malfunction and overheat if they are unplugged. Do make sure any smoke, fire, water or burglar alarm systems are in working order and have good batteries.
To help avoid flooding turn off any irrigation systems and any ice makers or other non-essential items. Get advice from your heating provider as to what the safest low temperature is to leave your house at and to advise as to if you should turn down the water heater. One frozen pipe can destroy the interiors of a whole house when it thaws and water starts flowing out. So if you are going away for an extended time in winter talk to a plumber about draining the water and shutting it off, or have someone very reliable checking in to ensure the heat is running and no pipes freeze.
