Finally, more people are taking vacations, but leaving the house empty for long periods of time seems a bit foreign. Most people probably haven't been on vacation for more than a year, so they may not be in the habit of making sure their home is safe while they are away.

To deter burglars and protect your home, it is essential to take precautions. Therefore, we have compiled a list of tips to prevent burglary. Some changes can be made at no cost.

1. Clean the alarm control panel - If your burglar alarm control panel requires you to enter a code upon entry, be sure to clean the buttons regularly. Over time, dust will accumulate on unused buttons and will reveal which numbers are being used. This will leave a burglar guessing when the alarm is triggered.For the best DIY home security system, click here.

2. Invest in floodlights with motion sensors - Floodlights with motion sensors make it much harder to sneak onto the property. Thieves can turn back once they realize they've been spotted - the Ring Floodlight Camera and the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Cam are security cameras with floodlights that offer the best of both worlds.

3. Consider smart locks - Smart locks use a virtual key and a timed passcode for access. They provide a warning when the door is unlocked, so you don't have to worry about misplacing your keys. Here are the best smart locks if you want to upgrade.

4. Use a guard dog - Whether or not you have a guard dog, you can make its presence noticeable. Putting a "Beware of Dogs" sign near the door or placing a dog bowl near the door can be effective.

5. Secure sliding patio doors - In addition to locking doors and windows, secure sliding patio doors. Patio locks are more fragile than front doors, so reinforce them by placing long wood blocks on the floor between the wall and the main door. This can also be done on a small scale with sliding windows.

6. Invest in a key lock box - Whatever you do, do not hide spare keys under a doormat or nearby flower pot. Instead, buy a dedicated key lock box that holds the spare key and requires a combination for access: the Rudy Run Wall Mount Combination Lock Box is suitable for this application. [Install a Safe for Valuables - It sounds like common sense, but if you have anything of value in your home that you want to protect while you are away, put it in a safe. Burglars usually only steal items that are easy to retrieve after they break in.

8. keep your home well-lit - Ideally, you don't want to make it obvious that you are away. An effective way to do this is to schedule lighting with automatic timers or smart lights. Here are some of the best switches for smart lights.

9. invest in a security mailbox - Mail can contain a lot of personal information, including your identity. To prevent this, invest in a security mailbox. A security mailbox requires a key to access your mail; Mail Boss Mail Manager Curbside Locking Security Mailbox is a good choice.

10. don't leave expensive items on display - not just indoors, but outdoors as well. Hide bicycles, tools, and other items in the yard that could easily be stolen.

11. don't share travel plans on social media - Be careful what you share online, especially if it is publicly available. It advertises that you are not at home.

12. invest in security cameras - Security cameras send alerts to your cell phone along with video footage when motion is detected so you can call your neighbors or authorities for help. Here are some of the best outdoor security cameras for when you need this technology. Looking for something for inside the house? Here are our picks for the best home security cameras.