Some tips on how to keep your home safe while away on vacation:
- Arrange for someone to maintain your home so it appears occupied – this includes picking up mail, flyers and newspapers and placing garbage and recycling containers at the curb for normal pickup.
- Ask trusted neighbors to keep an eye on your residence while you are away and leave your vacation address and phone numbers with them so you can be reached in an emergency.
- Arrange for lawncare.
- Use timers for lights both in and outside your residence.
- Unplug all unnecessary non-timed appliances (example coffee makers and lamps).
- Shut off water main to reduce the risk of flooding in the basement.
- Leave the shades and blinds on doors and windows in a position that you normally would have them.
- Make sure smoke detectors and alarms are functioning properly and armed.
- Make sure all the locks on the windows and doors function properly, and make sure to use them.
- Do not announce your trip/vacation plans on social media. By doing so you are notifying would be thieves you are not home.
Your vacation should be an enjoyable, relaxing experience and you should return home to a safe and secure residence.