Vacation

How to protect your home while you’re on vacation
While you’re away on vacation, the last thing you want to worry about is burglars invading your home and stealing your personal belongings. So before you leave, take these precautions. They’ll help protect your property and give you peace of mind.

• Lock all windows and use dead-bolts on exterior doors. Install security bars on sliding doors to prevent them from being lifted off their tracks.
• Leave a few shades or curtains open to maintain a “lived-in” appearance.
• Set light timers in a few rooms so that it appears people are at home when it’s dark.
• Stop newspaper delivery so that papers don’t pile up at your door.
• Store cash, jewelry and other valuables in a bank safe-deposit box.
• Don’t leave an outgoing message on your answering machine announcing you are on vacation. (Or post your vacation plans/photos on Social Media sites like Facebook and InstaGram.) Lower the volume on the machine and your telephone ringer.
• Install outside lights, preferably with motion detectors.
• If you can afford one, install and activate a security system. Or at the very least, put security system warning decals on doors and windows to deter intruders.

Finally, ask your neighbors to keep an eye on your property and to notify you if they suspect a problem. Even better, ask a friend or relative either to house sit or to stop by daily to collect your mail, put out your garbage, and check that everything’s okay. Don’t forget to exchange the favor yourself.

We also suggest providing contact information for our office to your neighbor or house sitter in case you suffer a loss while you are away. Let them know to inform the police or fire department that we are your insurance agent if there is an incident.

If you have any questions or concerns about your coverage for theft from your home or car, please call us at 631-727-4114 or Contact Us here.

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