Traveling for the Holidays? How to Keep Your Home Safe

Image Credits- Ravi Hayden, Unsplash

We’re a few months away from the holidays, and that means time off to spend with friends and family. Christmas time is filled with fun festivities, bright lights, and tourist attractions during this time of the year. If you decide to celebrate elsewhere, it pays to protect your home from any unfortunate situations during this busy time. Before you start planning your trip, here are some tips to keep your home safe while you’re away.

  1. Secure Your Home From Unwanted Intruders

The holidays are notorious for high burglary rates. With many tourists coming into town, take extra precautions by protecting your home from lingering stringers. 

  • Apart from the front door, lock the doors and windows on all floors as well. That way, all your rooms are secure in case someone makes it past the front door.
  • Keep a light on. This will give off the impression that someone is home. 
  • Research the best home security systems for the equipment you will need. Invest in a sophisticated system that offers surveillance cameras, motion detectors, and audio sensors. As an added measure, choose one that easily integrates with your phone. You will be able to view security footage and control your home devices while you are away. You can even switch on lights at certain times of the day.
  1. Keep the Snow Out of Your Home

The holiday season means snowy weather. While it makes Christmas all the merrier, snow has its fair share of safety risks. Prepare your home for the snowfall to avoid accidents, leaks, floods, and other damage.

  • Clear the snow out of your walkway before you leave. This will help you avoid any accidents for people who pass by your home. 
  • Repair any holes in pipes, gutters, windows, and walls. This will prevent snow from seeping in and possibly flooding your home. 
  • Empty your basement of any electronic devices and household items. In case of flooding, your items will not be damaged in the process.
  • Check the condition of your roof, especially for old homes. If snow accumulates while you’re gone, it may cause your roof to collapse. A contractor can help inspect it for holes and structural issues. Have it repaired before your trip. If possible, ask them to clear your roof of snow to lessen the buildup. 
  1. Keep Your Home Safe From Fires

Fires caused by Christmas lights and electronic devices are common during the holidays. Make sure to rid your home of all potential fire hazards before leaving for your trip. Here is a general checklist you can refer to:

  • Unplug all electronic devices like the laundry machine, dryer, toaster, microwave, lamps, TV, and the like. It will also help you lessen your energy consumption while you’re away.
  • For devices that you cannot unplug, like the refrigerator or your telephone, make sure you don’t overload your electric outlets and extension cords.
  • Keep your Christmas tree away from heat sources like the fireplace, radiator, or heater.
  • Clean your chimney before leaving. Remnants of burnt wood and creosote can trigger accidental fires. Clear the surrounding area as well. Remove any paper, cardboard, trash, or home items near the chimney. 
  • Check if your smoke detector is working. In the unlikely chance of fire, your smoke detector will alert the necessary people to prevent it from building up. If you have a smart home security system, you can connect your devices to your phone.
  1. Clear Out Your Kitchen

One of the easiest things you can do before leaving for the holidays is to clear out your kitchen. You want to avoid wasting food due to spoilage. Here are a few things you can do:

  • Plan your meals weeks before your trip. That way, you will not have any leftover food by the time you leave. 
  • For food that you are unable to finish, pack it up and donate it to a homeless shelter. Not only will you be saving food, but you will also help someone in the process. 
  • For dry goods with a long shelf-life, pack them in secure containers and store them on shelves to keep rats and household pests away. Also, do not expose them to heat and moisture. This will prevent them from spoiling early.
  1. Inform Your Neighbors and Friends About Your Trip

Your friends and neighbors can act as your house’s safe-keepers while you’re on vacation. They can check up on your property in case of unforeseen events. Additionally, you can have them retrieve your mail. Whatever the case may be, having them around will give you peace of mind.

Keep these tips in mind, and you’re sure to enjoy your holiday vacation.

 

Information courtesy of kWilliamsMedia