How To Protect Your Home While Taking A Winter Holiday

Our winter is long and cold and for some, the only way to survive is to escape to a tropical destination for a week or two. When you leave your home for an extended period of time it’s important that your home doesn’t look uninhabited. This is especially important when you go away in the winter as your walkway/driveway can become snow covered and give the appearance that someone is away.

Before you go away you should talk to a family member or neighbour about checking in on your home for you.

Below are a few additional ways you can do to protect your home while away:

• Stop all mail delivery
• Arrange for a neighbour to cut the grass or shovel snow
• Cancel all deliveries during the time you will be away
• Maintain normal lighting patterns by using electronic timers
• Ask a neighbour to put one of their garbage bags in front of your house on collection day
• Leave a radio on, with a timer if necessary to simulate normal use
• Ask a neighbour to park in your driveway
• Don’t talk about your vacation plans with strangers or service people
• Use your work address on your luggage tags so a potential burglar won’t know where your empty house is
• If practical, remove valuables from your home. Small valuables should be stored in a safety deposit box
• Lock garage door

Note: Before you leave, you should tell someone you trust:

• That you will be away
• How long you will be absent
• Whether or not you will have a house sitter
• The number where you can be reached