May 27th, 2019 | Guest Post
Keep Your Home Safe This Summer
Who isn’t excited for our long awaited summer?
This year, Toronto’s weather is making all of us beg for it, but luckily it seems that we’re finally getting there. To the point where forgetting your coat is no more a risk to our health. And the days are longer, sunnier, warmer, the patios are finally open, and everything screams “SUMMER IS HERE” – or almost.
So, if you’re planning a getaway this summer, we are re-sharing a guest post with some great tips for your home!
With summer only a few weeks away, your kids will soon be out of school for the summer and vacation season begins. Now is the perfect time to start planning your family getaway. When leaving your home for long periods of time it is extremely important to protect your home and family. According to a report from the Conference Board of Canada, Canada had 682 burglaries per 100,000 people, with the majority occurring in the peak vacation months of July and August. Home break-ins could be prevented if homeowners would take simple steps to burglarproof their homes. Break-ins may seem like random acts, but they tend to be crimes of opportunity. Do not give burglars the opportunity or the upper hand.
Below are home safety tips to help keep your home safe while you travel:
- Stop delivery of your mail and newspapers—or have a friend or neighbour pick them up for you.
- Keep bushes and shrubs well-trimmed. Use timers on lights, televisions and radios to provide sound and lights from inside your home. Do not leave them on the whole time, that’s a sign no one’s home.
- Keep the outside of your home well lit. Would-be thieves prefer not to be seen.
Have your lawn maintained if you will be gone for more than a few days.- Leave the air conditioner on. A silent compressor on a hot day is a good indication you aren’t home.
- Unplug everything but the refrigerator, freezer, and the lights and radios you have set on timers.
- Where possible, turn off the water to your sinks, toilets, dishwasher, washing machine and hot water heater.
- Use your home alarm systems. Be sure to set your home security system before you leave and check to make sure the company has the best number on file to reach you if anything should happen.
- Contact your local police department. Check to see if they offer courtesy house checks. Also let a trusted neighbour or friend know that you will be out of town so that they can check on your house or report any unusual activity.
Follow these tips and you’re sure to have an enjoyable—and safe—summer holiday.
This guest post was by Portia S., a staff writer for Protection 1, one of the largest and most respected alarm monitoring companies. The company provides installation, maintenance, and monitoring of single-family home security systems, business security systems and multifamily security systems.
Were these tips helpful? Let us know in the comment section below!
Meanwhile, if you’ve got any Real Estate questions, get in touch with us, we’ll be happy to help!
