A Few Tips to Protect Your Home Before Leaving Town

March 4th, 2024



At this time of the year, many are planning vacation trips for the spring or summer time. Most Chico, CA homeowners, when planning such trips, end up forgetting some of the important things that are crucial for the safety of our homes. Sometimes, we remember when we are miles away from town and it is too late. But what can you do to ensure that you have the peace mind, even when you are out of town? What safety measures should you take? Here are a few tips to protect your Chico home before leaving town:

1. Arm you Security System and Notify you Monitoring Center

Always let your monitoring center know that you will be out of town. This will make them put more emphasize on the security of your place with any alarm alert being responded to immediately. Also, make sure that you have armed the burglary alarm before you go. This will be extremely important since it is always given priority by the service provider in Chico, CA.

2. Halt the Mail deliveries

One of the simplest ways a burglar will identify you are out of town is by checking your mailbox. In normal cases, you will be emptying the mail every day or after two days. An accumulation of mail will definitely show you are not around. Making it very important to have your mail held at the post office until you are back in Chico, CA.

3. Don't Advertise Your Vacation on Social Media Sites

This one big mistake most of us make. We make it public on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter that we will be out of town. You never know who is snooping on your account and they might get this information and cause havoc once you are gone. Wait to share your vacation updates and photos upon your return.

4. Lock and Secure the Garage

The garage is mostly the main target for many burglars. They know very well that they can gain easy access into your Chico home via the garage. Make sure that you have disengaged the garage door opener and confirm that the door going from the garage to your home is closed and locked.

5. Make Sure that the Yard is Properly Maintained

Mowing and landscaping your yard is mostly ignored, but it is a great way to keep your home safe. If you leave the place untidy, burglars will know that you are not home in Chico, CA. Make sure that the yard is properly cleaned before leaving.

6. Automate Your Lighting

Burglars are very smart and they will know that you are not home by observing the lighting. If your home goes dark for two days, they will know you are not around. With technology, it is possible to automate the lighting to go on in the evening as if there still someone at home.

7. Hide Your Valuables

Even though you home might be secure, make sure that your valuables are safely kept for any breakins. Lock away the passports, birth certificates, jewelry, and check books among other valuables.

8. Keep the Spare Key Safe

We all have somewhere in the compound that we hid a spare key. In most cases, it is never that "hidden" since it is just underneath one of the potted plants. Bad guys know this, and it will take a few minutes to locate it. Bring it into the home where it is safe.

These are just a few steps to ensure your home is safe when you go on vacation. Please reach out to us today to learn about cutting edge technology to secure your home whether you are on vacation or in your Chico home.

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Rich

"As a small business owner here in Chico we definitely saw the need for video surveillance. After expressing our needs and concerns Tim did an excellent job getting us set up with the set up with the appropriate equipment. He really took the time to address our concerns in a very friendly, professional and knowledgeable manner. I highly recommend Tim for all of your business and residential video surveillance needs."

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Gloria

"Tim Truby designed and installed a 32 camera system for us here at the Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District. We had received several other quotes from security system vendors, but Tim’s quote was the least expensive. Tim also installed the system quickly and has always been available when we needed him. We are very happy with our security camera system and we can highly recommend Tim Truby for all of your surveillance system needs."

D. Weseman, Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District

Crime Free Living updated our old video system with a new 16 Channel HD Alibi Video Security System. The old system had been added onto by different installers which resulted in a cabling mess. There were cables that worked and cables that went nowhere. It was a mess. Tim sorted it all out and installed cameras that are very clear. He also installed a monitor for our cashiers to watch hidden areas, a monitor to watch the entry door, and a monitor that allows employees to watch the outside parking and gas pump area. All work was done on time and very professional! Will always recommend Tim and Crime Free Living.

S. AM PM Chico Arco Station

"I had Tim install an Alibi Video Security System at my residence and a couple business locations. The remote view option is invaluable to absentee owners or anyone who travels a lot. The clarity and quality of the cameras have allowed for viewing employee theft. The evidence provided from the HD video cameras was fantastic! Tim was professional and provided extra value from his law enforcement background."

J. Folsom Arco Station

"Tim, I want to thank you again for doing such a fantastic job on installing a wireless IP security camera system at our dream home. The extra time that you took to hide wires, and install a clean, professional system is much appreciated. I still can’t believe the clarity, quality, and ease of use of this new system. I wished that I would have met you before our original inferior system was installed by another company. Now, whether I am at home, or monitoring the system from around the world, I know that my home and family are safe and sound."

John M.

"In April of 2017, my husband and I made a phone call to Crime Free Living that turned out to be a smart and wise decision. Amazingly, in just a few hours, Tim installed four Dome Security Cameras, weatherproof enclosures, and hooked up into our home a 23" Full HD Widescreen Security Monitor. Even more than his professional expertise was the time spent with us in making sure that this system was working correctly and properly installed on our phones so that anywhere in our travels we can monitor our new home in Magalia."

Tieka and Don S.

"I have been using Crime Free Living for the last couple years ar work and at home and I really recommend this product. Tim is a very good service provider. If he can't figure it out, he's got good tech support with the system that he offers."

Gary D.

"I have known Tim for over 10 years. To date, Time with Crime Free Living has installed two separate surveillance systems for my company. With each system, Tim has listened to my needs and custom dsigned surveillance systems for my specific needs and within my budget. The equipment used is always state of the art, the workmanship is top notch, and Tim is the example of trustworthy. I would recommend him for any job."

Steve D., Down Range Indoor Training Center

images Certifications & Training

With 16 years of experience in law enforcement, Tim Truby, CEO, is fully certified in video surveillance and training.

  • Certified Advanced Crime Prevention Specialist
  • Academy Instructor Certification
  • California POST Certification in Specialized Surveillance Equipment
  • California POST Certification in Basic Crime Prevention
    • Advanced Crime Prevention through Environmental Design
    • Certified Alibi Security Dealer
    • Enhanced Risk and Threat Assessment (FEMA)
    • Incident Command System (100 & 200)
    • Certified Cognitech Video Forensic Investigator
    • Neighborhood Watch Toolkit Trainer
    • Computer Crimes/Investigations
    • Domestic Crisis for Crisis Negotiators
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