As most of us head for vacation, burglars instead get ready to work. Try to make them avoid your home. Here’s how.
- Ask your neighbours, or a friend, to empty your mailbox as often as possible, to water your lawn and plants if you have any, and to keep a generally vigilant eye on your home of while you are away. Offer to do the same for them.
- Make sure your entrance doors are solid, and that their locks are in good condition.
- Mark your property. Your insurance company can help you with this. Marked objects are less attractive to thieves, and should they be stolen, your chances of regaining them are better.
- Avoid having email autoresponders or voice mail greetings reveal that you are away. At least try not to provide your return date.
- Set up a few timers to turn lighting on an off, preferably in a way that does not look too mechanical.
While you’re at it, also take precautions to avoid fire and other hazards. A couple of things to remember:
- Check your home for fire and leakage risks before you leave.
- Make sure that the batteries in your smoke alarms will work for the duration of your absence.
- Switch off the main valves for water and gas.
- Unplug appliances that do not need to be on while you are away.
These tips were based on information from the Federation of Finnish Financial Services, a trade body that represents insurers and other companies in Finland’s financial sector.—Would you like to add something? Please post your comments!
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