Protect Your Home While on Vacation
Water leaks, malfunctioning sump pumps or thieves can turn a dream vacation into a homeowner’s nightmare. Before heading out of town, there are a few steps you can take to avoid coming home to a disaster. Before you leave, shut off the main water valve to your home. You can also shut off water to toilets. You won’t need the water while you’re away. You don’t want to return home to find water has leaked on the floor near the dishwasher or worse – a burst pipe. If you have a pet sitter who will need to use the water, be sure to show them where the water valve is located in the event of a leak. And don’t forget to put your water heater on vacation mode and save yourself a few bucks. Before you leave, check to make sure your sump pump is in good working order. It’s a good idea to have a battery-operated pump as backup in the event of a power outage. Some newer model sump pumps can be monitored using a smartphone. A water sensor is also an invaluable tool. Delco Alarm Systems can provide you with a water sensor that will alert you if water if detected in a specific area.
Smart Home System Advantages
A smart home system gives you the ability to check up on your property while away using your smartphone. Dial into your security cameras to see your home any time of the day or night. Simple devices such as a doorbell camera will alert you to any activity at your door and give you the option of verbally communicating with whomever is calling. You can also adjust the thermostat, turn on and off lights and music to give your home a lived-in appearance. If you usually keep your curtains open, leave them open while you are away. There are also a number of low-tech ways to make sure your property is secure before you leave.
Ensure Your Home is Secured
Make sure all doors and windows are locked. That includes outbuildings, such as garages and sheds. It’s not just thieves that you have to worry about. One family returned home from vacation to find a bat had found its way inside of their house through an open chimney vent. Their family’s cat had chased the bat about the house, knocking over everything in its path and defecating all over the house. You should also have a friend or neighbor to check on your home while you are away. Ask them to take in your mail and pick up packages. If you are away for more than a week, make sure to hire someone to cut your grass.
Security Systems
The last thing anyone wants to find when returning from vacation is that their home has been ran sacked. A security system is hands-down your best bet to make sure your home is protected. Scheduling a maintenance checkup ahead means any issues, such as a low battery, can be corrected before you leave. If you haven’t scheduled maintenance for your system in more than two years, the time to schedule it is before you leave on vacation. A loose door sensor, simple to fix, could cause a false alarm. A low battery could put your system in trouble, leaving you without protection.
Social Media
Last but not least, don’t advertise your vacation on social media. Posting about how much fun in the sun you are having is an open invitation to savvy criminals looking for an easy target. The
damage a break-in can cause is quite costly, both financially and emotionally.
Test Your System
Schedule a service call before leaving for vacation and know your home is protected while you are away. A scheduled maintenance call is also a good time to ask about any advancements in technology that may benefit you and your particular situation. Delco’s specialists are happy to assist you with your security upgrading needs.