Heading out on vacation this year? Keep your vacant home safe!
Those of us in Elk River, Minnesota have faced some winters. From rain to ice to snow to hail, the holiday season can bring us quite adverse weather. For those who aren’t the snow bunny or the water-logged rat, jetting off to somewhere hot and sunny for the winter months is a nice change!
A vacant home can be awfully tempting for thieves as well as posing fire and electrical risks from being left alone. While you’re away on vacation is possibly the worst time a household calamity can strike.
Use these basic safety tips to leave your home accident-free while you’re away:
Phone a friend: A simple yet crucial task is to ask a friend, relative, or trusted neighbor to check up on your house while you’re away. Ask them to bring the mail inside, put out the trash, water your plants, and make sure all is well with your home!
Keep it quiet: While you may be tempted to boast your Mammoth vacation plans all over social media – don’t. In this age where information is so easily accessible, anyone can see that you’re heading out of town for two weeks, leaving your home unattended.
Alert the police: Notify the police before heading out on vacation for longer than a week. It’s possible that the officer on patrol will swing by your house to check up on it.
Hit the lights: Put a few of your inside lights on a timer so that they turn on and off automatically. From the street, if lights are on, typically it means that someone is home to turn them on.
Stop the post: Place a “stop” order on mail and newspapers if your friend isn’t picking them up for you. Nothing says “no one’s home” like piled newspapers and an overflowing mailbox.
Pull the plug: Unplug your television, computer, toaster, and other appliances to protect them from power surges – plus, it saves power!
Shut it off: Shut off your water while you’re away to prevent leaks, pipe bursts, and any other flooding that could occur!
When that’s all said and done, you’ll want to check (and double check) that the oven isn’t on, the key isn’t under the doormat, and that all of your luggage is in the car before you head out!
Homeowners insurance can protect your belongings and home when you’re not there to. Contact North Central Insurance for all of your Elk River, Minnesota home insurance needs!
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