Winter is here! Are you preparing for a winter vacation? Whether you’re a snowbird escaping the infamous Canadian winter or just traveling within Canada, we’re sure you wouldn’t want to come home to any damage that may cost you a fortune. We’ve compiled a list of things you can do to protect your home so you can enjoy your winter vacation with peace of mind.
Here’s a checklist you can save for your vacation or for future use:
1) Contact your insurance broker.
Your insurance broker will know if your policy will remain in force when you’re away and how often you need to get your home checked by someone you trust.
2) Ask a friend, relative or trusted neighbour to look after your home.
Have them check the electrical, water, and heating systems. Make sure they check in on your house the required number of times based on your policy.
3) Let your alarm company know the dates that you will be away.
This way, they can make sure that guards are on duty to be sent to your home when your alarm is triggered. Don’t forget to ensure that all security cameras and alarms are functioning well.
4) Keep your house looking lived in.
Leave the lights on in the porch or install motion lights that automatically turn on triggered by motion.
Ask your neighbour if they can shovel your driveway when they shovel theirs or just drive through your driveway after a snowfall. Have your neighbour collect your mail as well so it doesn’t get crammed into your mailbox. You can return the favour when it’s time for them to go on a vacation.
5) Set your thermostat to 16 degrees Celsius or higher.
Doing so can minimize your heating bills while also avoiding issues from frozen pipes.
6) Leave all windows closed and locked.
Don’t forget this! You save on energy when you keep cold drafts away. And most importantly, locked windows prevent thieves from breaking in.
7) Unplug small appliances in your kitchen.
Plugged appliances consume some energy even when they aren’t being used.
8) Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Are they still working? Do they need a change of batteries? Anything can happen while you’re away and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
9) Store your vehicle in your garage.
This will keep your car safe from thieves and extreme weather conditions. If you really need to store it outdoors, use a water resistant heavy duty car cover.
If you are driving it to your holiday destination, check that all of your tires have been replaced with winter tires.
10) Store all yard equipment in the garage.
Worried about leaving your home while you and your family go on vacation in winter? Learn some ways to protect your home in winter in this blog post.
Once you’re done preparing your home, you can rest assured that your home is protected from anything that could go wrong. Now that you have everything set up and your neighbour is keeping a watchful eye, you can easily call to check in on your home at any time.