Stress-Free Vacations: Tips to Secure Your Home While You’re Away

Most Canadians use the summer months for a much needed vacation. But before you pack your bags and jet off to let your stress melt away, it’s important to take measures to ensure your return home is just as stress-free. According to Allstate Insurance Company of Canada data, home burglaries are higher in July and August than at any other time of year.

“Following a few simple steps before you leave on vacation helps protect your home from a break-in and lets you rest easy while you’re away,” says Amy Woods, of Allstate Insurance Company of Canada.

To help protect your home, follow these ten tips from Allstate Canada:

1. Stop mail and newspapers, or ask a neighbour to pick them up every day.
2. Put several household lights on timers so they turn on and off at appropriate times.
3. If you’re gone for more than a week, arrange to have the grass mowed and hedges trimmed.
4. Ask a neighbour to park in your driveway overnight — anything that might suggest someone is home.
5. Check with your home insurance provider regarding your policy as some policies include a provision that will void your coverage if your home is unattended for an extended period of time. Make arrangements with a neighbour, friend or family member to visit your home every few days.
6. Store your valuables in a safe or rent a safety deposit box.
7. Close ground floor curtains and remove any valuables from plain sight.
8. Ask a neighbour to put out (and bring in) your trash cans and recycling bins.
9. Lock up backyard gates and make sure tool sheds are secure.  
10. Do not change your answering machine greeting or post on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter that you are going on vacation.

Remember: thieves are looking for an easy target. Taking measures to make it appear as if you haven’t left at all decreases the chances of a break-in.

For more information on how to secure your home or to arrange an interview with Allstate spokesperson, Amy Woods, please contact:

Jennifer Fox
Thornley Fallis Communications
416-515-7517 ext.  350
fox@thornleyfallis.com