If you are going out of town for vacation, here are some tips to keep your home safe while you are away.
Do not make your vacation public knowledge:
- While the excitement of a getaway is something you want to share with friends, avoid posting updates and photos until after you return. This way you do not alert potential intruders of your absence.
- Another way to avoid showing you have been gone a while is by having your mail held or asking a family member or close friend to regularly pick it up while you are away. Mail and newspapers piling up outside your house tells thieves nobody is around to monitor your house.
- Something to consider while you are gone is a timer for indoor lights and or televisions. The timer would turn on devices to give the appearance that your home is not temporarily vacant.
Turn off water:
- A burst water pipe left unnoticed for the duration of your vacation would quickly cause great damage to your home and the items in your home. One way to avoid this headache when you return is by turning off the water in your home.
- If the area where you live is still experiencing freezing temperatures consider leaving the heat on to avoid frozen pipes as well; a low temperature will do just fine.
Lock doors and windows:
- While this tip seems quite obvious, sometimes windows on the second level are a second thought. Check and double check all windows and doors right before you leave. If your doors have deadbolts be sure to use those as well. This will make it increasingly difficult for a break in as well as give you piece of mind while you are enjoying your time away.
Utilizing these tips while away on vacation will help you avoid making an insurance claim by protecting your home inside and out.
Source: USA Today- Home Security and Safety While on Vacation; http://traveltips.usatoday.com/home-security-safety-vacation-14385.html
