Keeping Homes Safe While Traveling

Travel should be a time to focus on the people and experiences ahead, whether you are taking a holiday trip, visiting family, or simply spending several days away from home. Before you leave, it is worth setting aside a little time to prepare your property.

An empty house can be more exposed to concerns such as break-ins, water leaks, and electrical issues. Fortunately, a few straightforward steps can help lower those risks and give you more confidence while you are away.

Secure Doors, Windows, and Other Access Points

Start your travel checklist by confirming that every entrance to your home is secure. The front door is usually top of mind, but side doors, garage access doors, gates, and ground-level windows can be easy to miss when you are preparing to leave.

Take a slow walk around the exterior of your property before your departure. Lock each accessible door and window, and make sure gates and garage entrances are properly secured. This quick inspection can help prevent simple opportunities for unwanted entry.

Limit the Risk of Water Damage

Home security is important, but water damage can be just as disruptive when no one is home to notice a problem. Even a minor leak can turn into an expensive repair if it continues for several days without attention.

If you will be gone for more than a short trip, consider turning off the main water supply to your home. When shutting off the main valve is not practical, disconnecting water lines to appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, and ice makers may still reduce the chance of an unexpected leak.

A few minutes spent preparing your plumbing can help you come back to your home as you left it, rather than returning to a significant cleanup.

Create the Appearance That Someone Is Home

A home that stays dark night after night can make it apparent that no one is there. Setting up a few simple routines that make the property appear occupied can serve as a useful deterrent while you travel.

Timers for indoor lamps and porch lights can create a more natural lighting pattern in the evenings. This is an affordable way to make a vacant house look lived in without asking someone to be present at all times.

Small precautions like these can provide an added measure of reassurance when you are away from home.

Ask a Neighbor You Trust to Check In

Smart-home technology can alert you to some issues, but it cannot bring in a delivery, return a trash bin to its usual place, or look into activity that seems unusual. A trusted neighbor can offer valuable support when your house is empty.

Let a reliable neighbor know that you will be gone and ask whether they can keep an eye on the property. They may be able to collect packages, move bins after trash collection, or spot concerns such as storm damage or an unexpected light left on.

Having someone nearby who knows your plans can make a meaningful difference if an issue develops while you are traveling.

Keep Mail and Deliveries From Accumulating

A mailbox full of mail or several packages sitting near the front door can quickly suggest that a home has been unoccupied. Before your trip, make arrangements so these visible signs of an empty house do not build up.

Consider placing your mail on hold through the USPS Hold Mail service. If you expect deliveries during your time away, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to bring them inside until you return.

Managing these small details helps maintain the appearance of an occupied home throughout your trip.

Unplug Unneeded Electronics and Appliances

Before leaving, unplug electronics and appliances that do not need to remain connected. This simple step can help reduce electrical concerns while you are away and make your final walkthrough more thorough.

Countertop appliances, hair styling tools, chargers, and portable heaters are all items worth checking. Disconnecting them before you lock the door can help reduce the possibility of an electrical problem while the home is unattended.

A room-by-room check before departure can help ensure that everything is safely powered down.

Review Your Homeowners Insurance Before You Go

Preparing your home before a trip can help you focus on relaxing rather than wondering what may be happening back home. By securing entry points, addressing water and electrical risks, and arranging for someone to check on the property, you can reduce exposure to common concerns.

Of course, unexpected events can still occur. That is why it is helpful to understand how your homeowners insurance may respond to a covered loss. Walker Insurance Group can help you review your home insurance as part of a broader personal insurance coverage review, including whether valuables coverage or umbrella insurance may be appropriate for your needs.

Before your next trip, contact Walker Insurance Group to discuss your current homeowners insurance policy. Our team is here to help you feel better prepared before you head out.