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Before Leaving For Vacation
| Nothing could ruin a vacation quicker than to come home to a break-in or damage that has occurred to your home in your absence. Below are some home safety tips and some travel safety tips.
Pre-planning Strategies
- Make certain your insurance is paid to date and that your coverage extends to all states and to Canada and Mexico if either is in your travel plans. A special ID card should be available from your insurance agent when traveling to Canada.
- Have the Post Office hold or forward your mail, or have a friend or relative pick it up for you each day.
- Make certain your bills are paid ahead (life insurance, home insurance, utilities, etc.), or if you will be in one location for a period of time have the Post Office forward your mail.
- Purchase timers for several of the lights in your home.
- Have your car checked,tuned up, tires checked and made road ready.
- Purchase or make-up a car first aid kit. Include sunscreen and insect repellent if the season calls for it. Fill prescriptions and take Drs. and other important phone numbers in the event of an emergency.
- Purchase travelers checks.
- If a visa or passport is required, make certain they are up to date and/or in place. Also, check to see if any immunizations are required or recommended.
- Call ahead for motel or hotel reservations.
- Stop newspaper delivery.
- Arrange to have lawn care or snow removal.
- Make arrangements to board your pets or to leave them with another caretaker.
- Remove valuables from your home and place in a safety deposit box.
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The Day You Leave
- Set your timers to turn lights on and off according to normal time for the day and night.
- Turn down your water heater, turn off gas appliances and turn off the water for your washer and/or dishwasher.
- If you can adjust the ring to your telephone, turn it way down or off if possible and make certain you have cleared your telephone messages and that the message you leave for callers does not indicate your absence.
- Remove items from your porch or lawn that could be carried away or damaged by high winds if there is a storm in your absence.
- Leave curtains and blinds in normal positions.
- Do not leave valuables out where they can easily be viewed through a window.
- Leave a radio playing on a talk station.
- Lock all doors and windows.Place a brace in sliding glass doors and don't forget basement, garage or attic windows or doors.
- Leave a second car in the driveway or have a neighbor park in your driveway while you are gone.
Enjoy your trip!
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