Perhaps you’re moving and haven’t sold your home yet; or maybe it’s undergoing a major renovation. Whatever the reason for having to leave your home, it’s important to remember to protect it while you’re gone. An empty home is vulnerable to theft and vandalism. To prevent these and other unfortunate mishaps from happening to your house, follow these 10 easy tips to protect and safeguard your vacant home.

1. Lock and secure all windows and doors

   First and foremost, be sure to lock all windows and doors in your home before moving out. While this may sound obvious, it’s actually very easy to forget to check the locks in the midst of a chaotic and stressful move. Most people moving out of a home are not only in a hurry to get to their new place, but are also busy directing movers or loading a truck. Double checking the locks can easily fall to the bottom of the to-do list. However, it’s one of the most important (if not, the most important) step you can take to protect your home when moving to a new house.

2. Give a neighbor or friend an extra key

   Moving far away? Those moving to a new city or state should leave an extra key with a trusted neighbor, friend or family member who lives nearby. This way, if you need to let someone inside the house, such as a handyman or police officer, you’ll be able to do so.

3. Take care of your yard

   Still trying to sell your home? Don’t let the yard get run down. The last thing you want when showing your house to prospective buyers is dead grass, dying plants or fallen tree limbs in the front yard. If you have a yard man or landscape team, I recommend hiring them to mow your lawn on a regular basis. It’s also a good idea to have an automatic sprinkler system that will water your plants. Finally, have a friend or neighbor stop by to check on your yard every week or so to make sure everything is okay.

4. Install motion detector lights

   If you don’t already have motion detector lights outside, I strongly recommend having them installed before you move. After all, a thief is less likely to break into your home at night when there is a bright spotlight on them. These exterior motion activated lights will turn on if and when someone walks around your property. It’s a good idea to have a set of lights over the garage doors, front door, windows and sides of the house. Don’t forget about the back of the home, as well as any porches or decks you have.

5. Remove valuables from the home

   Planning to stage your home with furniture and belongings while you’re gone? If this is your plan, be sure to take all valuables with you. Valuables include expensive TVs and electronics, valuable artwork, Persian rugs, expensive furniture and jewelry. If staging your empty home with furniture, I recommend utilizing used or rented furnishings. You can also head to donation sites, such as Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity, to find simple living room furniture and kitchen items for staging.

6. Keep home security system sign out front

   Even if you decide to disconnect your alarm system (which I don’t recommend), you should keep your security system signs out front. Most burglars and bad guys won’t attempt a break-in if they think the home is armed with an alarm system. Security system signs include anything from window decals to yard signs. If you don’t already have signage, I recommend contacting your security system company to have them sent to your house.

7. Keep your alarm system up and running

   Speaking of security systems, it’s a good idea to keep your existing alarm system connected after moving out. Given that most monthly monitoring plans only cost between $15 and $30, we think it’s well worth the peace of mind. Make sure the alarm system is connected to the police department. This way, if your alarm does go off, the police will come to the house, instead of waiting on you to call 911. You may also want to consider giving a good friend or neighbor in town your alarm code – just in case someone needs to get inside to turn it off.

8. Have a handyman on speed dial

   Have a handyman near your former home? Be sure his or her number is in your phone. From emergencies to general home maintenance, it’s a good idea to have a trustworthy handyman on call. This way, in case of leaking faucets, kitchen appliance problems or other simple home repairs, you’ll have someone nearby who can quickly and efficiently fix your problems. After all, if you’re showing your home to potential buyers, you don’t want to show them a house that’s falling apart.

9. Park a car in the driveway

   If you’re no longer living in your house, it’s important to make it look like you’re still there. Burglars are more likely to break into a home when the residents are away. By temporarily parking a car in the driveway, you’ll be adding an extra layer of protection for your vacant home. If you’re no longer in the area, I suggest asking a friend or neighbor if they wouldn’t mind parking one of their vehicles in your driveway – at least for part of the time.

10. Consider purchasing vacant home insurance

    Believe it or not, you can actually purchase insurance for this very predicament. If leaving your home vacant after you move, I recommend considering vacant home insurance. Most insurance plans will cover acts of vandalism, as well as certain disasters, such as fire, lightning, wind, hail and more. Be sure to contact your current home insurance provider to ask about your existing plan, and their vacant home coverage options.