How to protect your vacation home

For many homeowners, Keeping their vacation home secure while far away is a big worry. When it comes to a vacation house, because this type of residence is more vacant than the regular home, there are many things that can go wrong resulting in great expense. Unfortunately, vacation homes are not just at risk of burglary, but also breakdowns can occur with the appliances and home systems. Below is a list of tips to help you better protect your vacation home while it is vacant.

Vacation Home Security System

Many vacation homes contain such valuable items as: televisions, stereos, dishwasher, grills, ATVs, Jet Skis, refrigerator, water tank, microwave, and more. All these items could become the target of a burglar. Fortunately, technology today allows people to keep an eye on homes from far away in real time using security tech and WiFi. You can also hire a security company to set up an alarm system that will sound off when someone tries to break in. You can even get these alarms to send a notification to both the security company and to you. As well, you can install motion-sensor lights to light up walkways, windows and entryways. If your house lights up, it can scare off any burglars as they approach. You can also install timers for indoor lights to turn on to make potential intruders think there are people in the house.

You can also ask a neighbour to keep an eye on the house, or hire someone to do periodic security checks. Many vacation homes get broken into as a result of an unlocked window or door. Doors that have keyless entry locks are a great burglar deterrent. Also, lock sliding glass doors with a security bar. When leaving the vacation home, you should check every window and door, including the pet door to make sure they are all locked. AS well, lock garden sheds and basement doors.

Another security tip is to hire a landscaping company to show that the property is being maintained. You can also hire a snowplow driver during the winter months to make it look like people are coming and going throughout the winter. In addition, do not leave a spare key in an obvious place.

Keep Records of your Belongings

Keep a list of all of the important items such as appliances, electronics, furniture..etc., in the vacation home. Record the serial numbers of any valuable electronics.

Vacation Home Damage Prevention

If the power is off during the winter and there is water in the pipes, clothes washer, dishwasher, and water tank, it could freeze causing pipes to burst. Make sure the water is completely drained if there is not going to be any power. You can also wrap foam insulation around the pipes. Appliances should be protected from the cold and they should be unplugged.

A vacation home can be a fantastic escape from your regular daily life. You likely invested a lot in your vacation home so why wouldn’t you protect it? To protect appliances and home systems from breakdowns due to normal wear and tear, consider a home warranty plan. The home warranty cost far outweighs the cost to fix or replace an appliance or home system. ARW Home provides home warranties not only for major home appliances and systems, but also an Ultimate Electronics Protection Plan for new and existing home and computing entertainment products. With ARWHome protection plans, homeowners experience prompt and professional customer service, immediate service for emergency issues, and efficient response to a request for service within 24-48 hours. This may be the perfect time to purchase a home warranty for your vacation home.