Everyone looks forward to their summer vacations and travels. But do you know what they don’t look forward to? The stress and anxiety of leaving their home and property to go on vacation. The worry of "what if" can cause a grey storm cloud to shadow over what should be a fun and relaxing time away. The fear of a disaster, fire or break-in can dampen the vacation joy.
So, how do you fully embrace a vacation and leave all your worries behind? There is not one perfect solution; instead, there are a lot of small steps that can be taken before your trip to help give you peace of mind during your travels. Start preparing now. We have gathered up some tips and tricks to help protect your home and property while you enjoy your summer travels.
- Don’t advertise that you are going on vacation or leaving your home for an extended period. Avoid posting about your upcoming trip on social media or using the Facebook “check-in” feature. Put off posting your vacation pictures until you have returned home. Even changing your home phone voicemail message to say you are out of town can leave you vulnerable.
- Create an illusion that someone is home. Set up timers on your lights and leave curtains open. This also helps neighbors and police see inside in case someone does break in. Arrange for a friend or neighbor to pick up mail, newspapers, and packages, or put a hold on your mail deliveries. Ask a neighbor to put out and take in your trash bins and mow the yard or hire a local service, depending on the length of your trip.
- Arranging for a trusted friend or neighbor to drop by regularly to check on your property can be a great way to ensure peace of mind and deter break-ins. Hiring a house sitter is another great option, and if you have pets, it can be a great all-in-one solution.
- Do not leave valuables out in plain sight or within view of windows and doors. Put them away or secure them behind an extra layer of protection. Consider placing your more valuable items in a secure place, such as a safe or a security deposit box.
- There are some simple preventative steps you can take to thwart threats to your property while away. Unplug small devices and electronics. If you have a monitored alarm system, consider looking into adding a water flow alarm to alert the company if your home encounters a water issue. Set your air conditioning slightly higher than you normally would to save a bit on your electricity bill. Test your fire alarms and change batteries if needed.
- Something to consider is the possibility of severe weather while you are away. Bringing in or securing outdoor furniture, grills, trash cans, or children's toys to prevent them from being windborne during a storm. Also, inspect the trees near your home. Are any branches at risk of causing damage during a storm? If so, arrange for them to be trimmed or cut back before departing. Removing them can also help prevent burglars from being able to climb them and gain access to your house or roof. So, it can be beneficial in more than one way.
- Preventing pests is also an important step in the pre-vacation prep. Take out the trash and clean your home thoroughly before taking off. Inspect your weather stripping, insulation, and doors and windows for places where insects or water could enter, and replace or fix any areas with damage. If you are nearing your next pest control appointment, schedule it before departing to help keep those pesky pests at bay while you’re away.
- Some security measures to take around your home include installing an alarm system or security cameras. Security cameras are best positioned closer to head height instead of up high, making it harder for people to hide their faces. Adding outdoor lights and signs saying you use a security system, and cameras can also help deter break-ins. Lock all exterior doors and fences, including the garage, and turn off your garage door so that it cannot be opened by a universal remote.
- Make sure all windows are locked and or have a restrictor blocking them from opening and consider including them in your alarm system. Do not stash a spare key outside of your home. It may seem silly but double-check and test all of your security alarms and systems before leaving to make sure that they are all in working order.
- An extra step most travelers don’t take is to create an inventory list of your possessions within your home. Make a written list or take pictures and videos of rooms and items. Consider including serial numbers, purchase dates, receipts, and other details. Store it in a cloud-based service to ensure it won’t be lost or stolen, or in an off-site safety deposit box. In the unfortunate event that something does happen to your home, having a detailed list of what you own can be beneficial and help expedite any potential claims process.
- Before taking off on your summer vacation, take the time to review your insurance policies. Insurers have specific time limits for qualifying as an unoccupied or vacant home. If your summer travels take you away for a long period, you want to make sure it won’t cause your house to fall under that classification. Expensive items in your home may require additional coverage and not be covered under your normal policy, such as jewelry, antiques, and high-end electronics.
Any questions you have regarding your current policies or acquiring additional coverage can be directed to your Farm Bureau Insurance Agent, who will be able to help do everything possible to make sure you're properly covered while you are away.
Summertime vacations are filled with great memories and tons of time for relaxation. Follow these tips and tricks to make sure your upcoming travels are not tainted by an emergency at home. Prepare ahead of time and enjoy your travels without worries!