Keeping Your Home Protected During Vacation
When you and your family are preparing to leave for a vacation, it’s easy to overlook basic home safety precautions. After all, there are a number of risks that could affect your home while you’re away—including fires, theft and flooding. In order to keep your property safe while you’re on vacation, consider the following guidance.
- Unplug small appliances and electronic devices.
- Stop the newspaper and mail. To do this online, visit the U.S. Postal Service’s
- Lock all windows and doors.
- Arrange to have your lawn mowed or snow shoveled while you’re away.
- Have a neighbor keep an eye on your home throughout your trip.
- Remove any house keys you keep outside your home, even if you think they’re in a safe place.
- Set timers on inside lights. Install a motion-activated sensor on outdoor floodlights.
- Consider turning off your home’s water.
- Avoid posting photos of your trip on social media until after you return home.
Insurance Considerations
Taking the proper precautions before you go on vacation can make all the difference when it comes to preventing damage to your home. However, accidents can still occur.
That being said, it’s important to secure adequate insurance coverage to ensure that you will be adequately protected in the event that a loss occurs. Be sure to consult your insurance professional to confirm that your homeowners insurance policy meets your personalized needs.