house drapes open or closed while away?

[anon125]

I don't know if this is the correct forum...
while we are away for the winter...
if we leave the drapes open and the timer lights are on in the evening then it is obvious we are away.
if we leave the drapes closed all day that looks odd too!
we live on a street full of houses.
so far it is a low crime area.
thanks all

[cochise49]

Have a summer and winter place. We leave ours as they are leaving heat on low in summer place so interior pipes don't freeze. Turn water heaters off. Ask neighbors/ adult kids in area to call us if they think anything is awry. Maybe check with your local Police or Sheriff. They will have lots of info on the subject and may even provide extra attention to your place when you are away. Don't know of a guaranteed method to keep your property safe. Thought about alarms and/or video but that would just alert you after a robbery has taken place or in progress. I doubt police will arrive in time to prevent anything. We just keep up our homeowners premiums and hope for the best. Sorry this is probably no help to you.

[NYCgrrl]

Faced with your concern I'd leave the drapes closed IF the front of the house faced full sun. That would keep furniture from becoming sun faded.
As far as the security aspect the lights on a timer is a great idea and I'd ask a neighbor to occasionally change the position of the drapes just to keep someone with bad attentions away. I'm sure you've already solved your mail problem.

[darsben]

If someone is coming in to check ask them to periodically move the drapes to a different position. If someone is watching the house then the movement will let them know someone is around.
The drapes being shut towards the street during the day is not an uncommon occurrence. My Mother In Law keeps hers shut all the time because she does not want others looking in at her.

[Crazy_Ray]

Closed