How to Protect Your Home on Vacation

After a long year with travel restrictions, we are sure many are ready for their next adventure.  Whether you are going on a trip abroad or to a New England getaway, we understand there’s a lot of planning that goes into your vacation. Amidst the chaos of packing and creating itineraries, don’t forget it’s important to have a plan in place to keep your home protected while you are away. Home burglaries are on the rise and it has been reported one happens in the U.S. every 22 seconds.

Your friends at Bearingstar put together the following tips to help minimize your risk of a home break-in.

Take a social media break

We know you are excited on your vacation and eager to share your photos and videos with your friends and family on social media — however, we strongly recommend you wait to post about your vacation until you come home. Anything online is public information and by sharing your beautiful beach photo with the location tagged, you are also alerting criminals that you are away and have a vacant home.

Reach out to a trusted neighbor or friend

Before you leave for vacation, we suggest reaching out to a trusted neighbor or friend to let them know you will be away. Along with keeping watch, there are a few things they can do to give the illusion that someone is home for you. They can:

• Park in your driveway while you are away.
• Collect your mail and packages.
• Bring your trash barrels out and back in on trash day.
• Have a spare key to enter your home in case of an emergency.

Give the impression that someone is home

Along with having a neighbor keep up with the day to day activities, there are some things you can do to create the appearance of someone always being home. To deter unwanted intruders, you can set timers on your lights, indoor and out, and install outdoor motion sensor lights.

Unplug and turn off appliances

It may be time consuming to unplug and turn off all your appliances in your home, such as your microwave, coffee pot, television and cable router, along with any devices with external power supplies such as laptops or video game consoles — but it will keep your energy consumption down and help you save money on your bills. It is also important for fire safety.

Lock up and alert your alarm company

Last but not least, before you head out, lock up your whole house. Make sure all windows and doors are locked and closed. If you have an alarm system, be sure you have it turned on and give the company a call to let them know your travel dates.

Have more questions about protecting your home with the right insurance? A local Bearingstar Insurance agent would be happy to assist. Connect with one today.