A vacation should be a time of recreation and relaxation. While you're out enjoying your time off with your friends and family, the last thing you want is for your empty house to become a target. To give yourself peace of mind and protect your belongings, you should vacation-proof your home. Here's how:

Act Like You Never Left

When you're away, you want your house to look like you never even left. When your house looks lived in, thieves will think twice before trying to break in. Pay special attention to telltale signs — especially in your yard — that would make it clear that you're away. Don't make any dramatic changes like suddenly keeping all your blinds shut or leaving all your outdoor lights on even throughout the night. You want the appearance to be natural, so ask a friend or neighbor to keep up with the things you would if you were home, including:

• Mowing the grass
• Turning sprinklers on for the yard and flowers
• Performing seasonal tasks like blowing leaves and shoveling snow
• Keeping a car parked in the driveway
• Getting the mail

Another way to pretend you're still there is by using light timers that turn on different room lights at random intervals. This setup will make your house seem lived in more than one light that stays on all day.

Don't Overshare

After you take measures to act like someone is still living in your house, be careful about what you share online. Posting status updates from other states or even countries is a big sign that you're gone and your house is empty. It's safer to wait until you return to share all the details and pictures from your trip, especially if you have a public profile.

Instead of oversharing, just tell a few trusted family members, friends or neighbors about your trip. That way, they'll know to keep an eye on your home and alert you to any suspicious activity. Remember to leave them with your itinerary and contact information if they don't have it already. If you'll be gone for an extended period, you can also let your security/alarm company and local police department know.

Secure and Protect

You can also protect your home while on vacation by ensuring that everything is locked and secured before you leave. Don't forget to check all windows and doors and bring in any spare keys you have hidden outside. You may even want to disable your automatic garage door opener.

If you have home security, double-check the batteries and make sure everything is working. If you don't, there are many security systems on the market worth looking into, such as:

• Doorbell cameras
• Motion detectors
• Outdoor sensor lights
• Monitored systems
• Internet home security camera systems

Taking a few moments to stage, secure and protect your home and being careful about what you post online will go a long way toward vacation-proofing your home while you're away. Once you complete these steps, you can book the perfect room at Warehouse Hotel and get away for a stress-free vacation.