With COVID-19 restrictions beginning to change, you may be thinking of traveling – whether it is across the province in your motor home or just a weekend camping trip, it can be easy to overlook basic home safety precautions. To protect your residence while you’re away and enjoy a worry-free trip, keep in mind the following tips.
Preparing for a Vacation
There are a number of hazards that could affect your home while you’re away, including lightning, theft and flooding. In order to keep your property safe while you’re on vacation, consider the following:
- Unplug small appliances and electronic devices.
- Stop the newspaper and mail. For instructions on how to do this, visit the Canada Post’s website.
- Lock all windows and doors.
- Arrange to have your lawn mowed or snow shoveled while you’re away.
- Have a neighbour keep an eye on your home throughout your trip.
- Avoid leaving your house key outside your home, even if you think it’s 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.
- Raise the temperature on your thermostat or turn the system off completely. This ensures that you aren’t paying to cool your home while you are away.
Remember to stay safe by following local health unit COVID-19 guidelines regardless of where you are traveling to or from.
Insurance Considerations
Of course, the best way to ensure that nobody will be causing any trouble at your home while you are away is to have a close friend or family member stay at your house until you return. Doing this will greatly lower your chances of somebody breaking into your premises while you are away. After all, peace of mind is the most valuable commodity when it comes to protecting your home and your investments.
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, and it’s important to ensure you have adequate insurance coverage. If you are thinking about going on vacation, let us know if you’d like to have a conversation about your current coverage and insurance options. As always, we are here to help.
