How to Keep Your Home Safe While on Vacation

Pack your bags; we’re going on vacation! July and August are popular months for travel, and not surprisingly, it’s also when home burglaries peak. Before you pack your suitcase and board your flight, do a thorough home safety checklist. There’s nothing worse than sitting in your seat before take-off and thinking “Did I leave the stove on?” or “Is the garage locked?” To give you peace of mind this travel season, here are a few tips you can follow to protect your home and valuables when you’re away.

• Set timers for your interior and exterior lights. The easiest method to deter burglars is to make it look like you’re still home. Leave a light on or two throughout your home, both inside and out.
• Prepare for a power surge outage. Sometimes the power goes out unexpectedly. Disconnect the computer, TV, stereo, and all electronic devices and make sure they are safely plugged into a surge protector.
• Secure your valuables. Whether you’re traveling for a week or a month, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Place your jewelry and valuables in a safe deposit box. Don’t leave anything out in plain sight where a burglar might see it.
• Inform your alarm company. Call your alarm company to let them know the dates you will be away. Make sure your alarm system is properly set before you leave and check on your home occasionally if you have a remote monitoring system on your smartphone.
• Lock all doors and windows. Lastly, and most importantly, ensure all windows and doors are locked before you head out. Don’t forget to check your garage windows and doors.
• Reach out to a friend or family member. Have a trusted neighbor nearby? Reach out to a friend or family member to occasionally stop by your house to check on it while you’re gone. Whether it’s watering your garden or picking up your mail, have someone come by. 

Dayton Ritz + Osborne Insurance has the right policies and coverages to protect you and your family, no matter where adventure takes you. For more information on your homeowners insurance policy or to file a claim, please contact us — we’re happy to help.

Disclaimer

The above description provides a brief overview of the term and phrases used within the insurance industry. These definitions are not applicable in all states or for all insurance and financial products. This is not an insurance contract. Other terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Please read your official policy or full details about coverage. These definitions do not alter or modify the terms of any insurance contract. If there is any conflict between these definitions and the provisions of the applicable insurance policy, the terms of the policy control.