Summertime is in full swing, and with August Long Weekend only a few days away I’m sure we’re all looking forward to escaping the weekly grind.
Long weekends in the summertime often mean long drives to visit family and friends, or getaways to cottage country.
But before you get too excited and rush out of the house to try and beat the traffic, take a few minutes to consider who might not be leaving for the weekend.
As you pile supplies into the car, turn off all the lights in the house, and eventually peel out of your driveway, your not-so-friendly neighbourhood thief has been waiting patiently for you to leave.
Now, this obviously isn’t always the case, and by no means should you be looking over your shoulder while you’re packing for your vacation. But it is something that you should be mindful of. And that is why we’ve compiled a list of simple tips to help prevent theft from your home while you’re out of town.
1. Don’t post your vacation plans online.
We get it, you want to share your adventures with your friends. But be smart about it. Don’t post details of your trip before you leave, or even while you’re away. This is like hosting an open house for thieves while you’re away.
Sure, your Facebook profile might be Private, but how well do you really know your closest 200+ friends? And regardless of your privacy settings or the number of friends or followers you have, the spread of information on the internet should not be underestimated.
The simple solution? Wait until you’re home from your vacation to post photos and updates.
2. Have a friend check on your home periodically
Whether it’s a trusted neighbour, a family member or a close friend, having someone check in on your house every couple of days is a great idea. It will deter potential thieves who may have been targeting your home.
From an insurance stand point, this tip is also great because your friend who is checking the home will be able to ensure that nothing else has gone wrong. We’re talking water damage, wind damage, electrical issues, power outages or anything else that could result in a claim.
3. Make it look like someone’s home
No, we aren’t suggesting you buy a mannequin. But you can leave a light or two on and leave your curtains and blinds as you would when you’re home.
What you don’t want to do is lock everything up like a downtown storefront that’s closed for the night.
4. Lock-up and double check
This one’s a little more obvious. Before you head out on your travels, make sure all of your windows and doors are closed and locked.
And once you’re finally ready to leave, walk through your home and double check that you’ve closed and locked every door and window. If you have a security system, set it, lock your door behind you and enjoy your vacation!
Here are a few more tips to consider
- Pack your vehicle in your garage or carport if you have one
- Walk through your home and store valuable items out of site
- Check outside your house. Make sure valuable items are stored away, and ensure there’s no damage to doors or windows
- Have someone collect your mail, water your flowers, and cut your grass. Stacks of mail at the door, dead flowers and overgrown lawns signal an empty home
Unfortunately theft from homes while family’s are away on vacation is a far too common occurrence. So that’s why it’s important to be cognisant of it before you leave your home, whether it’s for an entire week or long weekend like the one coming up.
We hope that you keep these tips in mind, and keep your home safe while you enjoy your summer vacations!
Do you have any tips or theft prevention measures that you’d like to share? If so, comment below!
Source: http://www.ibc.ca/on/disaster/summer-season
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