How to Keep Your Home Safe While Traveling for the Holidays

Preparing to travel over the holidays can be stressful, but what’s even more stressful? Returning from vacation to a home that has been damaged or burglarized. So, let’s talk about how you can keep your home safe while traveling for the holidays.

Before You Leave

It’s a great idea to hire a house-sitter or have a friend, family member, or neighbor routinely check on your house while you’re gone. You should also follow the steps below to help prevent a disaster from ruining your vacation.

How to Prevent Fire Damage, Water Damage, or Storm Damage

Ensure your oven, stove, and small kitchen appliances are off and/or unplugged.
Unplug all the electronics that you can.
Program your thermostat to remain at a minimum of 55 degrees while you’re gone so your pipes don’t freeze. If your thermostat uses a battery, make sure you put a new one in before you leave.
You should check that the pipes in more vulnerable areas of your home, such as the attic, basement, or crawlspaces, are insulated.
It’s advisable to turn off the water to your home all together before you leave. This is the best way to prevent any water issues while you’re gone.
Trim any tree branches that could be broken off by high winds and blow into your home, causing damage.
If you light candles often, make sure you don’t accidentally leave one burning when you leave.
Do not leave the house with the dishwasher, washing machine, or dryer running. Finish that load of dishes or laundry before you leave or when you get back.
If you don’t have a house-sitter, have someone periodically stop by to check on the house and turn on the faucets. Letting the faucets run for a bit will help prevent your pipes from freezing.

How to Deter Break-Ins

Only announce that you’ll be out of town to those that need to know, like your family, employer, and neighbors. Avoid posting that you’ll be gone on social media as well.
Put your mail and package deliveries on hold or have a neighbor, friend, or family member grab them while you’re away. Mail and packages that are piling up outside your home can be a tell-tale sign to burglars that no one’s home.
Take photos of all your valuable belongings so you have an inventory to refer back to if items get stolen or damaged.
Lock up important documentation and valuables in a fireproof safe or safe deposit box.
If you own firearms, make sure they are also safely locked up.
Remove any keys you have hidden outside. Burglars know where to look for these.
Set your lights on timers, both on the inside and outside of your house.
Don’t close all your curtains or blinds, as this could be another signal to burglars that no one’s home. Leave at least a few open so your house appears as it would if you were home.
If you can, leave a car parked in the driveway to give the impression that someone is home.
Have someone at the ready to shovel or plow your driveway in case it snows. If your driveway is covered in several inches of snow for more than a day, burglars may figure out that you’re not home.
On garbage pick-up day, have someone take out your garbage bins and move them back in after pick-up.
If you have a home security system or video doorbell, make sure they’re working properly before you leave. Also, check that all cameras are pointing in the right direction.
Ensure all doors, windows, garages, sheds, and gates/fences are locked.

While You’re Gone

Avoid posting about your trip on social media until you get home. If the wrong person sees that you’re out of town, they may take advantage of your absence.
Keep your phone handy in case your security system or video doorbell goes off or someone who’s watching your home needs to get ahold of you.
Make sure you have your insurance agent’s number saved in your phone. If you find out that your home has been damaged or burglarized while on vacation, you’ll want to report it to your insurance company as soon as possible.

Happy Holidays!

We hope that following the steps above will help make your upcoming trip worry-free. All of us here at Kiser Construction wish you and your home a safe holiday season!

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