The Shadow
RICHMOND, VA (VR) – With August upon us, many families will be taking vacations before kids head back to school. AAA is offering travelers peace of mind with advice to keep your home safe while you’re away, whether your vacation takes you near or far.
According to the FBI, home burglaries increase in the summer months, since burglars see vacations as an opportunity to target empty homes, and renters are more likely to be robbed than homeowners. While burglaries are seeing a downward trend, there are still an average of over one million burglaries annually in the United States, according to the United States Department of Justice.
“Vacations require preparation and planning, just as you ensure all your items are packed for a relaxing time away, it’s also important to protect your home and keep your possessions safe, said Dan Scroggins, AAA’s Vice President, Personal Lines Insurance. “Often, in the rush to get ready for vacation, home security is forgotten.”
Before you head out for vacation, take a few moments to safeguard your home and keep your valuables safe.
Tips to protect your home while you are away:
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Make it time-consuming to break into your home. Research suggests that if burglars think it will take more than four or five minutes to break into a home, they will move on. Check outside doors and frames to ensure they are strong and made of metal or thick hardwood. Use deadbolts on windows and doors, which can slow burglars down or deter them entirely.
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Invest in an effective burglar alarm that, when triggered, alerts the police, fire department and other emergency services. Check with your insurance agent about possible alarm system discounts.
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Disconnect computers and other electronic devices from the internet to prevent hackers from gaining access to your information. Make sure personal information on your computer is difficult to access.
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Keep valuables locked up and out of sight. Expensive jewelry, electronic devices and other high value items should be hidden from plain view and placed in lock boxes.
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Make your home look inhabited. Use timers to turn lights on and off, temporarily stop newspaper deliveries, and arrange to have your mail picked up or held by the post office. An unkempt lawn is also an indicator to burglars that you are away. Hire a lawn service to maintain your yard if you will be gone for an extended period of time. -
Ask a dependable neighbor, friend or family member to keep an eye on your home while you’re away.
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Although vacations are exciting, try not to post about them on social media; someone may see your pots and target your home while you’re away. Avoid discussing your vacation plans in public places such as at the grocery store or at your local café.
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Create a home inventory. In the event that you do need to file a claim, preparing a home inventory of your possessions beforehand will make the process easier.
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Check your insurance policy to ensure that you have the coverage you need in case you experience theft or damage to your property.
To find out more about renters or homeowners’ insurance, call your AAA insurance agent to see what discounts you may be eligible for and what type of coverage you might need. -
