Planning a vacation is exciting, but leaving your home unattended can make it vulnerable to theft and water damage, especially during the winter months. A few precautionary measures can go a long way in protecting your home and ensuring it remains secure and damage-free while you’re away. Here’s a comprehensive guide to safeguarding your property before you head out on your trip.
Secure Your Home Against Theft
1. Lock Up and Reinforce Entry Points
Before you leave, please ensure that all doors and windows are securely locked. Consider reinforcing doors with deadbolts and installing security bars on sliding doors to prevent forced entry. This will make it harder for burglars to enter your house, especially without alerting anyone.
2. Set Up a Home Security System
Installing a home security system with cameras, motion detectors, and window/door sensors is one of the best ways to deter burglars. Many modern systems allow remote monitoring through smartphone apps, giving you peace of mind while on vacation. You can set alerts to notify you of any unusual activity inside or around your home in real time. That way, you will be the first to know if something suspicious is happening.
Next, before you leave your home, conduct a security assessment yourself or have it done by a professional. Please ensure that your security system has a backup battery or generator in case of any power outages. This keeps your system operational even if the power goes out in your absence.
3. Make Your Home Look Occupied
A vacant home is an easy target for thieves. Use smart lights or timers to turn lights on and off at different intervals to mimic occupancy. Ask a neighbor or friend to collect your mail and newspapers to avoid a buildup that signals an empty house.
Secure your Garage!
It’s essential to ensure that your garage is secure. Remember to lock the garage door and any other side doors that lead into your home. For added security, consider installing a garage door lock or a secondary system specifically for the garage. If you have remote openers, store them securely or temporarily turn off their signal. This is a great way to protect your home from theft while you are on vacation!
4. Be Cautious on Social Media
As tempting as it may be to share your travels and beautiful destination selfies online, doing so can alert potential burglars that your home is unoccupied. Additionally, you can check your privacy settings on your social media pages to ensure only those you trust can see your posts, such as “Close Friends”. However, the best rule of thumb is to save the vacation updates for when you return!
5. Inform a Trusted Neighbor or Friend to Check In
Could you ask someone you trust to keep an eye on your home? They can check on the house periodically, park in or shovel your driveway, or even put out garbage bins to create the illusion that someone is occupying your home. Also, if your community has a neighbourhood watch program, please tell them you will be away. Besides safety, having someone check in during prolonged vacations is a great way to check for water leaks, burst pipes, rodents, or potential fires while away.
Additionally, give this person your spare key rather than leaving it outside your home in an easy-to-find place. If this is not an option, consider investing in a critical lockbox with a combination and placing it in a secure location.
6. Store Valuables Securely
If a break-in does occur, ensure your valuables, like jewelry or loose cash, are safely stored in a home safe or a bank safety deposit box. Avoid leaving expensive items in plain sight, especially visible from windows. Also, for any digital documents, consider creating backups and storing them in a secure service. This way, you will still have a copy even if the physical copies are stolen.
7. Manage Deliveries
Be sure to manage mail and deliveries to your home while you are absent. With online shopping being a favourite of many, it’s essential to protect yourself from porch pirates. Consider pausing or rescheduling any deliveries, or arrange for a trusted person to check in and pick up your packages. Additionally, look into different services that offer package lockers or secure drop boxes, and request a mail hold through your postal service to avoid pile up.
Prevent Water Damage and Plumbing Issues
1. Shut Off the Main Water Supply
A significant precaution, especially in winter, is to turn off the main water supply before leaving. This simple action can prevent leaks or pipe bursts, which can lead to extensive flooding and costly repairs, especially if left untreated.
2. Drain All Faucets
After shutting off the main water supply, open all taps and drain any remaining water. This prevents freezing and pressure buildup in pipes, reducing the risk of cracks or bursts. Remembering to protect your home from potential water damage is an important tip.
3. Check Your Water Coverage
Some home insurance policies require regular check-ins on the property to maintain water damage coverage. Ensure you understand your policy’s terms to avoid unexpected issues if damage occurs while away.
4. Keep the Heat Running
If turning off the water isn’t an option, ensure your home remains warm enough to prevent freezing pipes. Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate the pipes and to avoid freezing.
5. Inspect Outdoor Water Sources
Outdoor faucets and hoses are particularly vulnerable to freezing temperatures. Drain any remaining water from outdoor taps and disconnect hoses. Use insulated faucet covers to shield outdoor water sources from the cold for added protection.
Final Home Checklist Before Leaving
- Home Security: Lock doors and windows, set up security cameras, and notify a trusted neighbor.
- Appear Occupied: Use timers for lights and arrange for mail collection and shovelled driveway/walkways.
- Water Safety: Shut off the main water valve, drain faucets, and keep the heat running.
- Insurance Coverage: Review your home insurance policy to ensure compliance with water damage prevention requirements.
These proactive steps will help you enjoy your vacation worry-free, knowing you are doing everything possible to protect your home from potential threats and damage. Safe travels!
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