June 2007 Virtual Staffing Newsletter – Issue # 12

Top 10 Tips for Going Out of Town on Vacation During the Summer!

Dear Glenn,

The sun is shining, the weather is warm and the outdoors are beckoning… it is summer time! For many of us, summer represents an excellent opportunity to travel with family and friends. Before setting out to explore the bountiful gems and attractions within these United States, or countries abroad, most of us set up a plan to ensure that our travels go as smoothly as possible. Just as it is important that we prepare for our vacation by planning a route and determining our destination, it is also essential that we plan for our absence from home. According to AAA, more home burglaries occur during the peak summer months than in all other months of the year combined. For those of us traveling, a vacation isn’t a vacation if we have to worry about our home while we are away. Follow these simple steps to help protect your home so that you travel worry free!

1.Don't broadcast trip plans. Other than family or a neighbor, the fewer people knowing you will be gone means the less likely someone you don’t want to know will find out.

2.Lock-up. Most of us lock our doors by habit, but if you’re planning to be away for an evening or more, it is also smart to close and lock the house and garage windows. Normal entry doors should be locked with single-cycle dead bolts and for those of us with sliding doors, it is important that we install slide locks and holding bars.

3.Don't leave keys outside your home. Spare keys "hidden" under doormats, flowerpots, or anywhere outside the house can open the door to the wrong person. Burglars know where to look. A safe alternative to leaving a spare key outside is to leave a copy with a close friend or neighbor so that if a situation necessitates entry, those you trust will be able to enter.

4.Utilize Electric/Automatic Lights! Companies like SmartHome and TouchnGlow offer external lights that automatically come on at dusk and shut-off at dawn. In addition to lighting up your yard in the evening, both internal lights and TVs can be programmed to turn on and off at random. You can also make your home look ‘lived in’ by leaving blinds and curtains in their normal position so that your house doesn’t appeared closed down.

5.Park cars in the driveway. Not only will a car parked in the driveway give the impression that someone is home; it also makes it more difficult for a burglar to back a truck up to your front door. Do be sure to equip unattended vehicles with an anti-theft device

6.Ask a friend or neighbor to keep an eye on your home. If you will be away for an extended period of time, consider the services of a house sitter. A house sitter can help minimize the affects of you be gone by checking your mail and periodically looking in, or staying, at the house. Be sure to leave your cell phone number with the house sitter or neighbor so that you can be reached in the event of an emergency.

7.Don’t give a thief a place to hide. Before departing on your vacation trim back bushes and hedges, especially around windows and doors. Neighbors will have a hard time keeping an eye on your home for you if they can’t see the windows and entrances. If you will be gone for an extended period of time, hire someone to mow the lawn.

8.Install a Security System. Security systems can be designed to meet virtually every budget and residence depending on the amount of security you desire. Providers such as ADT and Brinks Home Security offer security packages ranging from keypads and in-home motion detectors to external strobe lights and fire/flood sensors.

9.Keep your valuables out of sight. Security systems and watchful neighbors will minimize the likelihood of an unwelcome visitor in your home while you’re away, but there is no reason to tempt a passer bier with expensive equipment sitting by the window. Move equipment like televisions, computers and collectibles away from windows. Engraving valuables also makes items less appealing to robbers while simultaneously making a stolen item easier to recover.

10.Mark bags with your business address only. Believe it or not, burglars will occasionally browse luggage at the airport hoping to catch the address of a traveler. Instead of using your home address, mark your baggage with a phone number or business address instead.

Summer time offers an array of fun-filled opportunities. To make the best of your vacation, follow these simple steps so that when you’re relaxing on the beach or with family, your mind can be as at rest as your body.

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Small business tip of the month - According to Gartner Group, March 2005 SME Continuity Study, 50% of small and midsize businesses that experience major data failure (lasting more than 24 hours) will go out of business. With this much riding on your data, it is imperative that you have a data backup process that is repeatable and dependable. Always ensure important information is backed up and verified, often and regularly, and that you have all installation software catalogued and easily accessible. It is best to store backup media offsite as often as possible. By duplicating your information at a second location, you protect yourself from information loss in case of fire or theft. Keep in mind that your information is valuable to others also, so don't put your company's name and address on backup media and ensure the information is encrypted. If you are interested in having us evaluate your backup needs and help you implement a Disaster Recovery Plan, contact us to make an appointment.