Make Your Home Look Occupied When You Travel

Burglars look for patterns of absence, not locked doors. Use smart plugs to rotate lights on timers — not just one lamp all night, but different rooms at different times. Pause mail delivery or ask a neighbor to collect it. Have someone move your bins on collection day. Don't let packages pile up on the porch. A visibly empty home is an invitation — an apparently occupied one is a deterrent strong enough to send most opportunistic thieves to an easier target.