Going on vacation is what most people look forward to the most. You need that break away from work, school, or just your everyday routine. Whether you prefer the beach, the mountains, camping, or visiting a foreign country, one thing that makes any traveler nervous is making sure your home is safe when you’re traveling.
So, how do you keep your home safe while you’re away? There are things you can do before you leave that can protect your home, and they vary depending on where you live and the type of home you live in.
Snowbird Travel
Especially if you plan on being gone for a few months at a time, the first thing you should do is to let your insurance company know you’ll be away. Why is this important? Did you know that some insurance companies have a clause that states that they can cancel your policy if someone is not home during the inclement weather season for a prolonged time period? You certainly don’t want to come home to an incident and find out you no longer have coverage!
Additionally, this is the most common season for major issues to arise, like water pipes freezing and bursting. A simple burst pipe can cause damage to the whole house depending on its location. If it is an upstairs pipe that bursts, the water will flow downstairs and through the ceiling, destroying both the room with the pipe and everything under it. What can be particularly bad is that if someone is not checking on the house often, this may go unnoticed for a long period of time. It is a good idea if you are leaving for months during the winter to turn off the water prior to your departure.
Something to also consider is to upgrade your home with a security system. This can also qualify you for some discounts on your home-owners policy. Installing items like a security system that alerts the fire company when either the fire or carbon monoxide detectors activate, and the police if there is a break in can help secure your home and can give you peace of mind knowing your home is as safe as it can be.
If you live in a neighborhood with people you trust or with family nearby, it is also a good idea to have someone check in on our house every so often, just to make sure everything is in order. This can also deter burglars if they see activity at the home.
Smart Travel with a Smart Home
There are so many products on the market that can make your home a smart home, but that can significantly protect your home in your absence. You can have peace of mind while traveling if you use home automation to control lights, locks and thermostats.
It’s not a new concept to have lights come on when you’re away. We’ve all seen the old-fashioned timers placed on the lamp in the living room to come on when it gets dark out to simulate someone being home. Gone are the days of those timers, but now you are able to use technology to make the same things happen. Being able to turn on different lamps at different times is important in looking like you are actually home, and the lights aren’t just coming on at the same time every day. Adding the smart lamp technology to a series of different lights is a smart way of deterring robbers. If they saw the living room light last night, but tonight the bedroom light came on too, they are more likely to believe someone is home.
The same goes for blinds. With today’s technology, you can open and close blinds when you aren’t at home. Being able to look in windows is a very easy way for any robber to find a home. Taking that away can already deter a robbery, but by varying when the blinds open and close, it again gives the appearance of someone inside the home.
Security cameras inside and doorbell cameras are also great features that can help you keep your home safe while you’re away.
Doorbell cameras are especially great if you are expecting packages that a neighbor will be getting, and it also tracks when people are near your home. Depending on the layout of your home, these cameras can sometimes capture your whole front yard and driveway. You can view them from your smartphone or computer so you can check in as often as you need to. The same goes for inside, especially if you have pets. You are able to see what is going on and make sure everything is good at home.
Ensuring your home is well protected is the easiest way to be able to relax and enjoy your vacation. These tips will help you take the necessary steps to be able to travel without the added stress of your home’s security.
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