Planning for a vacation is an exciting time – picking out where to go, who to go with, and what to do while you’re there. However, the worry about leaving your home unattended can cause some unwanted stress prior to departure or even upon arrival. Fortunately, we’re going to go over some ways to help prepare you for securing your home while you’re away.

Vacation proofing your home
 

Tips for securing your home:

Lock Up:

  • Double-check your locks: Before you go, ensure all your doors and windows are securely locked up. Don’t forget to check basement and back entrances, pet doors, and garage doors.

Light It Up:

  • Use Timers: If you have the feature to do so, utilize timers on various lights throughout your home to make it appear as though someone is home and utilizing certain rooms.
  • Outdoor Lights: Motion-sensor floodlights can deter individuals from accessing your property while you’re away as they light up the exterior of your home when someone approaches

Smart Home Security:

  • Use a Security System: A smart home security system can alert you if something goes wrong or is out of the ordinary at your home when you’re not there. Some systems even offer remote monitoring so you can check in through your smartphone.

Tips for minimizing risks:

Protect Against Leaks:

  • Turn off main water supply: Consider turning off your water supply if you’ll be gone for an extended period of time to prevent any potential leaks.

Electrical Safety:

  • Unplug electronics: Be sure to unplug any unnecessary appliances and electronics to prevent them from using phantom energy, which will also help lower your energy bill. Phantom energy is when electricity is consumed by electrical appliances and devices when they’re not in use.

Tips for keeping up appearances:

Mail and Deliveries:

  • Hold your mail: When mail or packages sits out front of a home or clutters a mailbox, it’s a sure sign that the owners are not home and the house is sitting vacant. If possible, place a hold on your mail and any scheduled deliveries. If not, ask a neighbour, friend, or family member to regularly check and bring the mail in for you.

Lawn Care:

  • Maintain your yard: An overgrown lawn can show signs on an empty home. Some tips to avoid this are to schedule lawn care through a company that specializes in keeping your exterior property tidy.

Enlist in help:

Trusted Friends or Neighbours:

  • Check-ins: As mentioned with the mail, ask friends, family or neighbours if they can keep an eye on your house, bring in deliveries, and generally make your home look lived-in still while you’re away.

Professional Services:

  • House-sitter: For extended trips, or when family and friends are unavailable, consider hiring a house sitter to care for your home, pets, yard and plants. Be sure to do research on local businesses that offer these services beforehand.

Taking these steps to vacation-proof your home can ensure you enjoy your time away without added stress or worry. Knowing your home is secure, means more time for relaxation. The key is to plan ahead and take action to make sure your home appears to be lived-in even in your absence.

The team at Sutherland Insurance is here to help with your next big trip. Consider speaking with one of our knowledgeable team members about securing travel insurance before you go.

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