Cottage Bound? Secure Your City Home First
Cottage season for many of us is the greatest lure of the year – and while it’s natural to want to get out into the great outdoors as quickly as possible, it is also important to tie up loose ends at home before you head out. “When you’re enjoying cottage life, the last thing you want is to be worrying about the safety of your home and belongings,” says Craig Richardson, a vice president at TD Insurance. “But it is important to take the extra time to make sure that your primary property is taken care of while you’re gone.”
Richardson offers a quick list of items to run through before you leave for the weekend, a week, or the whole summer:
Secure your property – Secure your home, garage doors and windows. Consider buying a light switch timer to turn your lights on and off according to a schedule.
Pull the plug and stop the flow – Unplug televisions, computers, and kitchen appliances like your coffee pot before you leave. Turn your refrigerator on to “vacation mode” if possible. These steps will not only save power, but protect appliances from power surges. Consider turning off the main water valve before you leave, and drain all the pipes and appliances.
You’ve (probably) got mail – An overflowing mailbox is a sure sign that homeowners are away. Call the post office to temporarily halt mail if you will be away for an extended period of time, or arrange for a neighbour to collect it. Consider stopping newspaper delivery.
Revisit your home insurance policy –Did you know if you’re away from your home for more than seven consecutive days you’re required to make arrangements for someone to check in on your place? If you’re travelling by road, you might pack a few necessities or favourite gadgets. Review your policy and check with your insurer for Time Away insurance to ensure you’re covered.
Keep neighbours in the know – Make arrangements for a trusted friend or neighbour to check on your home. Share your contact information in case of an emergency.
If you’ve checked off everything on this list, you can enjoy your home-away-from-home knowing your city residence is better protected.
Courtesy: Homeservice Club