It’s important that you take some safety measures to protect your house while you
are away on vacation. Before you leave:
Phone a friend. Ask friends to stop by your property periodically while
you’re away. They should walk around the outside of your home to check your
windows, doors and locks. Then, they should walk through the inside to make
sure everything appears normal. Ideally, someone could simply stay at your house
while you’re away.
Look “at home.” If someone can’t stay at your house while you’re away, you’ll
want to make sure it appears that you’re at home to prevent potential trespassers from
believing you’re away. For example, you may want to set a few lamps in the house
on timers so they turn on for a few hours at night. Someone should collect your
mail and bring your garbage bins in and out, too—a stuffed mailbox and garbage
bins left on the side of the road are indicators that your house is unoccupied.
And, if it snows, you should hire someone to come clean it up, or ask a friend to
leave fresh tracks from a car and feet in the driveway.
Unplug, empty and drain. Remember to unplug your electronic devices while
you’re away—barring your refrigerator and freezer, and the lamps that we suggest you
keep on timers. Unplugging electronics that aren’t being used will lessen the risk of
an electrical fire in your home while you’re away. Also, empty your refrigerator and
cupboards of anything that will spoil before you come home. Lastly, shut off the main
water line in your home, and empty the pipes by flushing the toilets and running
the water. Winters in the Northeast are frigid—if a frozen pipe bursts, it can cause
costly damage to your home. 

Call your independent insurance agent. We hope that you won’t need to file a
homeowners claim when you come home from your travels. But, we are here for you
if you need us after you return. Before you leave, give us a call so we can review
your homeowners policy and we can make sure that you have the optimal coverage to
protect your home year-round.