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Going on Vacation? Be Sure Your Home is Secure With These Essential Tips

 

A Homeowner’s Guide to Travel: Watch Your Home While on Vacation

When you’re getting ready for a vacation, your checklist is likely focused on what you’re bringing with you. But one of the most essential things to remember for vacation isn’t something you’d pack in your suitcase: it’s protecting your home. Who’s going to watch your home while on vacation?

Many people overlook preparing your home for vacation because we’re just too excited about all the other things that we have to do. But the last thing you want is to come home to find something’s gone terribly wrong with your house.

Whether it’s a break-in or a flood, it’s important to take the necessary precautions before you go anywhere.

At Duliban, your trusted team of hometown insurance brokers, we care about our customers and want to make sure you have an amazing vacation. Part of having a great trip is not having to worry about your home while you’re away.

Here are some of the most important things to remember for vacation so you can properly protect your home while you’re gone.

 

Home Security While on Vacation: What Are Your Options?

The first thing you’re going to want to look at is home security while on vacation.

Homes that don’t have security systems are 3 times more likely to be broken into than homes with one. Having a security system is also a major advantage when it comes to your home insurance policy.

Remote home monitoring is also an option, and comes with many home security systems nowadays. There are many systems out there that allow you to remotely monitor your home if you’re going somewhere that has WiFi.

Another good way to protect your home is to install exterior security lights. In fact, you should consider installing these for all-around purposes, not just while you’re on vacation.

Security lights run on sensors, so when there’s movement in your driveway, the light comes on and exposes them. This deters thieves who are trying to break into your car or home. It also alerts you, or anyone inside the home, when suspicious activity is going on.

If you don’t have a security system in place, and you’re not willing to buy one, you do have other options. Follow the next steps for maximum security.

 

Consider a Sitter to Protect Your Home

Get a friend or relative to stay at your home while you’re gone. This is one of the best ways to secure your home because you know that someone will be there all the time.

Don’t forget to leave them food in the fridge, since they’re doing you the favour! And it wouldn’t hurt to leave them something else, like a freshly baked batch of cookies or some money for compensation.

This is a good option if you have pets. The house-sitter can take care of your pet without worrying about putting them in a kennel or boarding facility. Some pets don’t do well when their owners leave, so keeping your pet in its own territory can help keep them calm and reduce stress.

If you can’t get someone to house-sit for you, get someone you trust to stop by every day and keep an eye on your home. When you ask more than one person, make sure they know about each other so they’re aware someone else will also be there.

 

If You Can’t Get a Sitter, Make it Appear as if Someone’s There

One of the most important ways to protect your home while you’re gone is to make it appear as if it’s still occupied.

A major sign for potential home invaders is a collection of newspapers, mail, and flyers built up on your front step. To them, this may as well be a welcome sign that says “come on in, no one’s been here in days!”

Here are a few things you need to remember to prepare your home for vacation:

  • Cancel your newspapers during the time you’re leaving by simply contacting your carrier.
  • Hold Your Mail: if you call the post office, you can get them to hold your mail during the time you’re gone.
  • Set your lights on a timer. This will make it look like someone’s been living there. It’ll also save you money on your hydro bill as opposed to leaving the lights on the whole time.
  • Arrange for landscaping services if you’re going to be gone more than a week. An overgrown lawn is a red flag, especially if you’re normally adamant about keeping your lawn tidy.

Add these things to your pre-vacation checklist to make sure you’ve got everything under control.

 

Don’t Post Details on Social Media

You might want to share your amazing vacation pictures with your friends on Facebook or Instagram. If you’re going to do this, be careful with what you post.

For example, don’t make a Facebook status that says, “Gone to Jamaica! See you next Thursday, Canada!” This tells everyone where you’re going and when you’re coming back. A potential invader now has the perfect amount of information to plan a break-in.

It’s best to wait until you get back to share your vacation memories. If you really want to share your great pictures while you’re gone, stick just to pictures and leave out as much detail as possible.

 

Talk to a Local Insurance Broker at Duliban For Your Home Insurance Claim

No one wants to come home from vacation and have to make a home insurance claim. But sometimes, things happen.

At Duliban, our team of trusted local insurance brokers live and work in the Niagara and Haldimand communities. We value all of our clients as if they were our own family. That means helping you deal with a hard situation.

We know how stressful it is when you have to make a home insurance claim. That’s why we take the load off your back. We’ll take care of your claim, so you have one less thing to worry about.

Talk to your hometown broker today with any questions or concerns about your claim. You can contact us online or at 1-855-385-4226.

 

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