Summer is around the corner and school is almost out. You’ve accumulated a substantial amount of vacation leave at work and need a nice break from the office. While you’re planning your next vacation to the beach or the countryside, don’t forget to take precautions to keep your property and belongings safe while you’re gone. Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Take these preventative measures so you don’t come back from vacation with a flooded basement or stolen property.
- Install added security features. A professionally installed home security system with door and window sensors will be your first line of defense. Even if you live in an apartment, having an indoor security camera mounted on a bookshelf or on your TV stand will allow you to monitor your home while traveling. Most systems allow you to livestream activity from a mobile app, and even record activity or turn on the lights. A well-placed security camera can deter a burglary or even catch the bad guys.
- Hire a house sitter or a pet sitter. Keep your house safe by having someone you trust live in it, or at least stop by to make it look active. They can not only water the plants and feed the dog, but also pick up newspapers and bring the trash bin back into the house. Creating the illusion that the residence is still occupied sends the message that everything is normal at your house.
- Hold your mail. If you’re going to be out of town for more than a couple of days, have your local post office stop mail delivery until you get back. You can submit a stop mail request by phone or through the U.S. Postal Service website.
- Don’t tip off criminals on social media. Think twice about posting every detail of your vacation plans on Facebook. The same goes with your voicemail and automatic reply for your personal email. Announcing that you’re not home for an extended period is an invitation for criminal activity.
- Mow the lawn. If you mow the lawn every week and your yard starts to look neglected, you could be sending a signal that you’re not around. Hire someone to take care of your landscaping chores if you’re going to be away for a few weeks.
- Lock up. Don’t forget to lock the window you keep open to cool down the house or let the cat in. Lock every door and window, including the deadbolt. Don’t make it easy for someone to break into your home. Remember to remove your spare key from under that garden gnome or flower pot.
Most importantly, make sure you have homeowners or renters insurance to protect you and your family from the unexpected. We can help create the best policy for whatever you need.
