By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC
Returning home from a relaxing sun-soaked vacation is never fun, and it can be made worse if you return to find something gone horribly wrong in your home. Below, Blais Insurance offers a few suggestions to help keep your property secure while you travel.
Ask your neighbors for help. Give a trusted neighbor a key and ask them to periodically check the interior of your home to look for anything unusual such as open doors, fallen branches or broken windows.
Don’t let your home look vacant. To make your home less attractive to thieves, we suggest you arrange for someone to gather your mail and newspapers and mow your lawn. We also recommend you mimic everyday activities by setting timed lights to come on in the evening, or by keeping a car parked in the driveway.
Turn off your water supply. Water damage is the leading cause of homeowners’ insurance claims, because even a small leak can cause significant damage if left undetected. When water leaks are combined with warm summer temperatures, they can lead to expensive mold problems. You may want to consider purchasing a water-flow sensor that ties into your home alarm system to detect water flow that is not normal.
Protect appliances and electronics from power surges. Consider unplugging your television, computer, and other countertop appliances. Unplugging these items not only keeps them from being damaged in the event of a power surge, it can also save you money. According to the Consumer Energy Center, many appliances use power even when they’re turned off.
In the unfortunate event that you do experience a loss while away on vacation, it is important to contact your independent agent at Blais Insurance as soon as possible at 401-725-0070. However, simply taking a few precautionary steps before you leave on vacation will keep your home safe and provide peace of mind while you’re away.
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