Traveling and Home Safety
The holiday season is upon us, and that usually means that it is time to pack up the family for some vacation time or an out-of-town visit to your relatives. While this should be a time of enjoyment and celebration, many people underestimate the importance of disaster preparedness before they go on a trip, leaving their uninhabited homes exposed to danger. In addition to taking adequate precautions to deter burglars, homeowners and renters should also protect their home from power surges, water damage, and pests. Consider the following home safety tips to help you enjoy your time away with a greater sense of comfort.
Utilize Your Smartphone
There are several home safety mobile apps available that can help you stay connected to your home. Some of these apps can get paired with a webcam or video camera that is already in your home, and it will allow you to monitor your home from anywhere. Other apps offer a variety of benefits such as a motion detecting sensor that will alert you if any movement gets detected within your home. Many also offer the ability to control temperature remotely as well as turn on various lights inside and outside of your home. Look at reviews of the best remote home monitoring solutions and also search the iOS or Android store on your smartphone to find apps that suit your needs.
Prevent Fire
- Unplug small appliances, computers, televisions and electronic devices. In addition to damaging the device, a power surge can spark a fire.
- Ensure smoke detectors are working properly.
Recruit Your Neighbors
A very popular way for thieves to steal valuables from your home is to arrive in what appears to be a service vehicle. Let your neighbors know about your travel plans, and be sure they understand that there is no legitimate reason for a service vehicle of any kind to be parked in front of your home while you are away.
Avoid Water Disaster
Please consult with a professional plumber if you have any concerns or questions.
- Turn off and drain water supply lines to sinks, toilets, ice makers, water softeners, and washing machines.
- In colder months, turn off the water at the main shut-off and drain pipes to prevent them from freezing.
- Turn off (if applicable) your water heater gas supply line or put the temperature on a vacation setting.
- Ensure air conditioner and water heater overflow drains are free from obstructions to prevent flooding.
Notify Local Authorities
A good alarm system is vital for home safety, and it is a good idea to let your alarm response company know when you are going to be out of town. With this knowledge, they will react much quicker if your alarm gets triggered because they will know you did not accidentally trip it. If you have a neighborhood watch or local police force, it is also a good idea to ask them to check your home a little more often while you are away.
Control Pests
- Clean the kitchen, appliances and the pantry. Throw away opened packages and items that will spoil while you are away or give them to a neighbor.
- Spray for insects and other pests to prevent an infestation.
Invite a House Sitter
The best way to keep an eye on your home is for it to be occupied. Invite a trusted friend or family member to stay at your home while you are away, and you can plan to do the same for them when they go out of town.
All of these are ideal home safety tips that can drastically reduce the risk of you returning to a damaged or destroyed home.
Help be more prepared for disasters by reviewing ALE Solutions’ temporary housing options.
Photo credits: ©iStock.com/9770880_224, ab1962, alptraum, adrian825
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