It's the peak of summertime, which means that many families are going to take their summer vacation before the school year starts again! Though, the last thing you want to worry about when enjoying your fun in the sun is whether or not your home is secure while you’re away.

The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics reported that house burglary numbers are highest during the summer. Take extra measures to protect your home while on vacation with these four simple tips. 

Take your security systems up a notch.

It never hurts to have more than one way to secure your home. Other than the obvious methods, like using motion-activated lights and an alarm system, there are a couple ways you can secure your home further. A measure you might take to securing your home is to reinforce your doors with lock strike plates. When installed, these will strengthen the deadbolt in your door making it more difficult for burglars to intrude. Adding sash pins to your double-hung windows will also provide greater security.

Mow your lawn.

Upkeeping your lawn can be a simple way to secure your home while you’re on summer vacation. If you’re lawn is left untamed during vacation, this tips off the burglar that you’re not home. Try arranging for someone to mow your lawn while you’re out of town in addition to mowing it before you leave. 

Create a “lived in” look even while you’re away.

Going hand in hand with mowing your lawn, you can also take some measures to make it look like you’re home while on vacation. Install timers in and around your home to power on at a designated time. This could include the TV, lamps or your porch light. Another helpful tip is to ask a neighbor to take your trash cans to the curb when it’s Trash Day so that your home doesn't stick out like a sore thumb.

Hide your valuables from plain view.

When burglars are scoping out homes, the first place they can see through is your windows. If you normally keep valuables in plain sight, i.e. your large TV, laptop, etc., conceal these either by removing them from the window’s view or using blinds or blackout curtains. In addition, don’t leave boxes from that brand new desktop computer you just purchased next to the trash can outside. Break down the box and dispose of it so that you’re not leaving behind any clues. 

While your home is your retreat for staying cool in this blistering summer heat, you don’t have to break the bank. Experts say that for every degree you raise your thermostat, this simple act is saving you 7–10 percent on your overall cooling costs. If turning up your thermostat is the last thing you want to do, here are five ways you can save and stay cool this summer.

Cover your windows during the day.

Sure, sunlight is your friend during the winter, but it quickly becomes your enemy when you’re trying to stay cool this summer. If you don’t have window shades, blinds or curtains, it’s best to invest in these this summer in order to block out the heat and keep your home at a cool temperature. 

Open your windows in the evenings.

When the temperatures go down in the evening, take advantage of the free air conditioning provided by Mother Nature herself. 

Reverse your ceiling fan direction.

Did you know that reversing the direction of your ceiling fan can help you save and stay cool this summer? When you set your ceiling fan to rotate counter-clockwise, the air runs straight down, which can make a room’s temperature seem about 8 degrees cooler.

Use your major appliances less in the daytime.

When you use appliances like your stove, oven or washing machine, these generate unwanted heat, which will invariably cause you to turn your thermostat down and increase your cooling costs. Wait until the evening, when the temperatures are often cooler, to run your heat-generating appliances.

Invest in a smart thermostat.

Smart thermostats are a great way to adjust your heating and cooling from anywhere, as long as you have your mobile device! In addition, smart thermostats can learn your cooling habits, send you reports and help you save even more as you tweak your settings as a result. Experts say that investing in a smart thermostat can save you as much as 15 percent on your cooling and heating costs annually!

A well-mannered individual is always remembered fondly, and the same practices should be applied for open house etiquette when you’re touring a home. Keep these four simple open house etiquette tips in mind when you’re touring a home this summer.

1. Dress appropriately.

The first thing that the seller's agent will see is how you’re dressed. It’s important to dress professionally and appropriately to make a good impression. While you don’t necessarily have to arrive in business attire, you shouldn’t wear clothing that is revealing or torn, which could paint you in a negative light in the agent's eyes and possibly the seller's.

2. Greet the agent. 

Once you enter the home, immediately greet the agent and introduce yourself. From there, the agent may take you on a home tour or inform you that you can tour the home at your own pace. 

3. Be respectful of others touring the home. 

Open houses are great opportunities for visiting a home and inspecting each room at your own pace. This also goes for the other visitors at the open house. The best open house etiquette to exercise is patience and to wait to enter a room until it has been vacated. In addition, when a door is closed at an open house, do not be quick to open it. First, check with the agent; the door may have been closed on purpose. It goes without saying that open houses do not give you permission to rummage through drawers and closets. 

4. Thank the agent.

Just as the first thing to do is to greet the agent, be sure to thank him or her for taking the time to show the home. Then, sign the visitor’s sheet and include your number or email address if you wish to be contacted after the showing. Lastly, if there are any concerns with the home, such as a mold issue or crack in the foundation, you can politely mention these to the agent who can relay this information to the seller.