Keep your Vacant Home Safe

There may be many reasons why a home is vacant. Perhaps you’re moving and haven’t sold your home yet, or it is undergoing a major renovation, or maybe you’ve moved to your elderly parent, or you may have relocated. Whatever the reason for having leave your home, it is very important to remember to protect it while you’re gone. An empty home is very vulnerable to theft and vandalism and other unfortunate mishaps. If these happen, you’ll probably going to run into some problems. To prevent these things from happening to your house, consider these tips to protect and safeguard your vacant home.

Lock and Secure All Windows and Doors

First and foremost, be sure to lock all windows and doors in your home before moving out. It is actually very easy to forget to check the locks in the midst of a chaotic and stressful move. Most people moving out of a home are not only in a hurry to get to their new place, but are also busy directing movers or loading a truck. Double checking the locks can easily fall to the bottom of the to-do list. However, it’s one of the most important step you can take to protect your home when moving to a new house.

Keep Your Neighbors in the Loop

Being friendly is always a good thing when you move into your neighborhood. This can also serve you well when you’re leaving out of the neighborhood. Before you leave, discuss with your neighbors what your plans are and how long the home will be vacant. Neighbors are great sets of eyes and ears around your place when you can’t be there. Make sure they have your contact information should they see anything unusual or suspicious happening on your property.

Maintain the Yard

Don’t let the yard get run down even you don’t occupy the home. Taking care of the outside of the house is a sign to others that you may be there or you at least are keeping an eye on things. Moreover, make sure to take a look around the house once in a while to make sure things are properly maintained while the structure is unoccupied. Regular maintenance not only gives a consistent presence to the property, but you will also notice things like leaking pipes or faulty smoke detectors before they become big problems.

Install Motion Detector Lights

A thief is less likely to break into your home at night when there is a bright spotlight on them. These exterior motion activated lights will turn on if and when someone walks around your property. It’s a good idea to have a set of lights over the garage doors, front door, windows and sides of the house. Don’t forget about the back of the home, as well as any porches or decks you have.

Keep Home Security System Sign Out Front

Most burglars and bad guys won’t attempt a break-in if they think the home is armed with an alarm system. Security system signs include anything from window decals to yard signs. If you don’t already have signage, it is recommended to contact your security system company to have them sent to your house.

Keep Your Alarm System Up and Running

It is a good idea to keep your existing alarm system connected after moving out. Make sure the alarm system is connected to the police department. This way, if your alarm does go off, the police will come to the house, instead of waiting on you to call 911. You may also want to consider giving a good friend or neighbor in town your alarm code – just in case someone needs to get inside to turn it off.

Have A Handyman On Speed Dial

Have a handyman near your former home? Be sure his or her number is in your phone. From emergencies to general home maintenance, it’s a good idea to have a trustworthy handyman on call. This way, in case of leaking faucets, kitchen appliance problems or other simple home repairs, you’ll have someone nearby who can quickly and efficiently fix your problems.

Park A Car in The Driveway

If you’re no longer living in your house, it’s important to make it look like you’re still there. Burglars are more likely to break into a home when the residents are away. By temporarily parking a car in the driveway, you’ll be adding an extra layer of protection for your vacant home. If you’re no longer in the area, you may ask a friend or neighbor if they wouldn’t mind parking one of their vehicles in your driveway – at least for part of the time.

Consider Purchasing Vacant Home Insurance

If you own a vacant or unoccupied property, you should purchase vacant home insurance to protect yourself from perils that are more common in homes that are vacant or unoccupied.  Vacant home insurance often covers acts of vandalism and damage caused by disasters such as fire, lightning, wind, and hail. Your current provider may be able to offer you a bundle with your existing policy.

You may also contact ONYX Insurance Brokers, we can offer you the best insurance services that you need.