Going on a summer vacation? Before you leave for your vacation, make sure your home is as safe and secure as possible. Check out these 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 lawn is cared for while you are away and stop any newspapers or have flyers collected from your door or yard. Set lights and a TV’s 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.
