Traveling This Summer? Follow These Steps to Ensure You’re Safe From Property Damage While You Are Away
Summer is just around the corner, and with it comes long-awaited vacations and adventures. The average American took a total of 2.1 trips in 2023, and 92% of travelers expect to travel as much in 2024 as in 2023 despite inflation and rising cost of living. But as you pack your bags and dream of distant horizons, there's an important consideration that shouldn't be overlooked: the safety of your home while you're away.
Did you know there are 1.6 burglaries every minute in the U.S.? Not to mention the countless homes that fall victim to property damage due to neglect and weather conditions while they are away. But fear not, because Sparrow, your trusted partner in home management and maintenance upkeep, is here to guide you through ensuring your home remains secure and well-maintained during your summer travels.
Understanding the Risks
Before jetting off, it is essential to recognize the risks your home faces during the summer months. While the warmer weather brings an increase in outdoor activities and the joy of traveling for many, it also brings with it risks for property damage. These include:
Increased potential for severe storms and flooding.
An empty home that can become a target for burglars,
The absence of regular maintenance leads to unforeseen issues, such as leaks or pest invasions.
Acknowledging these risks is the first step towards mitigating them, and luckily, there are steps you can take before and during your travel to protect your estate.
Pre-Departure Home Safety Checklist
Before heading out on your adventure, consider the following elements to ensure your home’s safety while away.
Secure Your Home Against Intruders
Start by reinforcing your home's defenses. Before you leave, ensure all doors and windows are locked and consider upgrading to high-security locks. If you don’t already have a home security system, look into one before you head out. They will not only give you peace of mind but will also protect your home while you are away and help monitor for major incidents. Additionally, installing timed lighting systems and pausing your mail services will help avoid a pile-up of letters and give the appearance that your residence is still occupied.
Weatherproofing Your Home
Now that you are secured from burglary, the next step is to protect your home from the elements. Before you leave, check and clean your gutters and roof for potential leaks, and secure any loose items in your yard that could become projectiles in a storm. In addition, if you live in a hurricane-prone area, consider installing storm shutters to protect your home during a hurricane while you are away.
Fire Safety Measures
Finally, you want to make sure your home is protected from fires. To achieve this, ensure all electrical appliances are turned off or unplugged to prevent fire hazards. Verify that your smoke detectors are working and that you have accessible fire extinguishers, just in case. Again, a home security system will be able to alert authorities immediately in the event of a fire.
Maintenance & Upkeep While You're Away
Now that you know how to prepare your house before you leave, it’s time to talk about how you can upkeep and maintain your home while you are away. There are three main elements that can protect your home while you are away these include;
Professional Home Sitters
Professional home sitters are the way to go if you are looking for absolute peace of mind. Having a trusted professional check on your home can ensure that landscaping, plants, and maintenance will prevent issues before they arise. They can also provide regular updates throughout your vacation so you can relax easily and without worry.
Smart Home Solutions
Back to the adoption of home surveillance, did you know that many offer smart home devices that protect against more than just burglars? These smart home devices can monitor for leaks, regulate temperature, and even notify you of unusual activities, ensuring quick intervention for any issues that may occur.
Essential Maintenance Tasks
Finally, ongoing maintenance. The last thing you want is for your home to fall into disarray while you are away and come home to a complete mess. To prevent this, schedule regular lawn and landscaping care, ensure your pool maintenance is up-to-date and ongoing, and set up automatic watering systems for your plants. These small steps can make a big difference in maintaining your home's upkeep.
Insurance and Documentation
Another item to check off your list before you even travel is to double-check your homeowners' insurance to ensure it covers the common risks associated with summer. Once this is complete, take the time to document the state of your home and valuables by creating a record that can be invaluable in case of an incident. This process will help in the event you are away, but it is helpful before you ever step out of your home, as accidents can happen anytime!
Contact a Professional Today to Help with Your Home While You Are Away This Summer!
Embarking on your summer journey shouldn't be overshadowed by concerns for your home's safety. By ensuring you understand the risks of your home, taking steps before you go to protect it, and setting up ongoing maintenance while you are away, you will ensure you come home to a house that is safe and free from major damage while you are away.
If you have been considering professional staffing services to aid in this process while you are away, contact Sparrow Estate Management. We can provide an overview of the services you require, how they will benefit your estate, and pricing options. Let this summer be remembered for the joy of your adventures, not spent worrying about your estate.
