Heading south? Keep your home safe

The winter months often see the flight of Canadian snow bird vacationers down south. While leaving your snow-covered home for a beach and tan may be appealing, your empty home may seem like an open invitation for prying eyes and unwanted guests. Fortunately, the tips below can help you keep your home safe while you’re off chasing the sun. Don’t disclose that your home is empty. Be sure not to disclose the dates of your trip on social media or leave voicemail messages that reveal that you’ll be away. Providers can help you assess if you have the right coverage ahead of your trip, letting you shift your focus to sun protection.

Create the impression your home is holiday headquarters. While you don’t have to stage a bustling holiday party, you can do simple things to protect yourself. Install a timer to turn lights on and off at different times and ask a neighbour or relative to shovel your driveway, move your vehicle, and collect your mail. Set up some “traps” to foil intruders. Put away the thumb tacks — there are some simple “traps” you can put in place to keep your home secure. Install a safety bar on patios or place a stick in between a sliding door to prevent it from opening. Set the ultimate trap by activating your home alarm system.

Be proactive. Be sure to put away any outdoor items that could be used to break into your home, turn off water, drain all systems and appliances, and unplug electrical and electronic devices. Above all else, make sure you’re properly insured.