Insurance

Protecting Your Home While on Vacation

Summer usually allows people to enjoy some well-deserved vacation time. Unfortunately, such lengthy absences open the door for thieves. So how can you enjoy your vacation away from home while protecting yourself against theft?

The most important thing to remember is to discourage the thief. Since burglars prefer to break in to houses that look unoccupied, lower your home's appeal by making it look like you're home. Use timers on lights, radios and televisions and leave drapes and shades open. Before you leave, ask neighbors to put trashcans out on trash day. It's also a good idea to either leave a car parked in the driveway, or ask a neighbor to park there. 1/3 of all burglars enter through the front door.

Thieves look for many other indicators of a vacant property, including untended deliveries and disheveled properties. Make arrangements to take care of your mail or newspapers; arrange for delivery to stop, or ask a friend to help. It is also a good idea to trim your trees and hedges, as this gives burglars fewer hiding places. And don't overlook the lawn - Mow your yard before you leave, and if you're going to be absent for an extended period of time, make sure you have someone take care of it during your vacation.

Another step is simply to deny access to would-be burglars and involves some basic, but often overlooked, methods of preventing your home from becoming a target. According to industry research, burglars spend no more than 60 seconds breaking into a home, so anything you do to increase this time may cause intruders to change their mind. The most basic protection is to lock all doors and windows, and secure the garage door. It is estimated that a third of all burglars enter through the front door, and most entries of residences occur during the day. So don't invite the thief into your home. Consider installing deadbolt locks on doors and windows.

One relatively inexpensive method of further securing your home is to consider installing deadbolt locks on your doors and windows. Don't forget to replace burned-out yard lights, and consider upgrading them with built-in motion detectors. After all, anything that makes a thief think twice before selecting your home as a target will add protection.

Of course, home alarms are another great method of adding protection to your home, and CAA recommends investing in a home security system, as homes without them are two to three times more likely to be broken into than homes that have been fitted with an alarm system (not to mention that some companies, such as CAA, actually provide you with a discount on your property insurance if you have a monitored home alarm installed).

Another option for many people involves taking the time to enlist your neighbours or friends to keep an eye on your property during your absence. In addition to simply letting them know that you are going on vacation, tell them how long you'll be gone and give them the names and descriptions of anyone (including contracted workers or landscapers) that may need to have access to your home while you're away. Homes with an alarm system are two to three times less likely to be broken into than homes without an alarm.

Of course, you should always leave a house key and the phone number of your destination with a trusted individual. If you have a cell phone, make sure this person knows your number and keep your phone close by in case of an emergency.

Some people who leave on extended vacations even enlist the services of a house sitter to maintain the property (and feed the pets that you can't take with you) while on vacation. Depending on your situation, this can also be a helpful tactic in preventing burglary.

Summer months mean well-deserved vacation time, so don't let an intruder ruin your time off. Follow these few simple guidelines and enjoy your time away from home.