The Christmas Holidays can be a great time to enjoy a vacation! But before you do, make sure your home is as safe and secure as possible. The keys to protecting your home when you are on vacation are not just the ones you use in your deadbolt lock. Below are a few tips to help reduce your risk:
- Double-check your insurance policy to find out if and when you require someone to check in on your home.
- Give a trusted neighbour or friend a key and trip details and ask them to check in on your home.
- Don’t advertise that you are going away.
- Create a lived-in appearance. Be sure the sidewalk and steps are cared for while you are away, and stop any newspapers or have flyers collected from your door or yard. Set lights and a TVs on timers so your home is not dark during evening hours.
- Encourage a trusted neighbour to park their car in your driveway while you are gone.
- Ensure that your door and window locking devices are working and are locked when you leave.
- Disable your garage door while you are gone. Most have a switch that can be turned off. You can also put a padlock or similar device through the door tracks to ensure it cannot be opened.
- Put away, or secure all lawn furniture or tools (i.e. ladders) so they can’t be used to assist a burglar in gaining access to the upper story windows of your home.
For more resources, check out the Federation of Calgary Communities website at calgarycommunities.com under the Building Safe Communities menu tab.
