Now that it is summer time, many would-be thieves know that people leave their homes for long vacations. This is the perfect time to reevaluate your home's security measures, including your locks and entrances. The following are some things you should do to be sure that your home is safe while you are away.

Secure Your Front Door

Many homes today have at least some glass on their front doors. Thieves use the glass as a way of entry into the home by breaking a panel and opening from the doorknob inside the house. To prevent this from happening, install a double cylinder deadbolt to any doors that have glass on them. These locks do not open with a knob on the inside, but with a key. A thief would have to break the entire glass to get inside the home this way. Many will not move forward with the break-in if he or she has to break too much glass because it draws quick attention from anyone nearby.

Lock the Garage Tightly

A garage has the biggest door in a home, so it is the most important to secure. The door from your home into the garage needs its own deadbolt that you lock when you leave. Do not just rely on the fact that a thief cannot get into the home due to the garage being shut and locked. They could sneak in through a window or find another way into a garage without ever touching the garage door.

If your garage door is electric and you use an opener, change the code every month to prevent anyone from guessing it. If the door is manual, it needs to be locked from the inside before you go on your trip.

Secure the Windows

Before you leave, make sure all your windows are locked. While most windows have traditional locks, you can take some extra measures to ensure that they are impenetrable. You can purchase hardware for the windows that require a key for them to open. If you do not want keyed locks on your windows, consider those that require a pin. This will act as a deterrent for thieves. Once they realize your windows won't open, they are more likely to move on rather than spending too long in one place.

To prevent any surprises when you return home from your vacation, be sure to go through your home before you leave to ensure it is sealed tight. If you need extra security measures, be sure you contact a locksmith in your area to see what your options are or to have new locks installed.