As much as we love jet-setting off to new destinations, there's something stressful about leaving your home unattended.

We’ve all been there! You sit down on the plane and wonder if you left the iron plugged in. Or, you wake up in the middle of the night because you had a dream your house was flooding. Certainly, I can’t be the only one who breathes a sigh of relief when you turn into your culdesac after being gone for a week and realise your house didn’t burn down.

As your Travel Advisor, it’s my job to make your vacation as stress-free as possible. That starts by ensuring you feel comfortable leaving your home—and it's crucial to ensure your home is ready for your getaway!

Drawing inspiration from my friend Kimberly with Allstate Canada and her article, "10 Tips for Preparing Your Home for a Weekend Getaway," let's dive into expert recommendations to safeguard your home while you're away:

1. Secure Your Home: First, double-check all doors and windows to ensure they are locked securely. Consider investing in smart home security systems for added peace of mind. Not to mention, having a security system will often save you money on your insurance.

2. Set Timers for Lights: Create the illusion of occupancy by setting timers for lights in different rooms. This simple trick can deter potential intruders.

3. Adjust Your Thermostat: Save energy and money by adjusting your thermostat settings. In warmer months, set it higher to conserve energy, and in cooler months, lower it to prevent pipes from freezing.

4. Unplug Electronics: Reduce energy consumption and protect your electronics from power surges by unplugging non-essential devices before you leave.

5. Notify Trusted Neighbors or Friends: Inform a trusted neighbor or friend about your plans. They can monitor your property and collect any mail or packages to prevent them from piling up.

6. Consider a Home Monitoring System: Explore options for home monitoring systems that allow you to remotely monitor your property through smartphone apps or web portals. Last week, a friend was on vacation and started getting alerts on her phone about a water leak. Fortunately, she recently added a Water Dragon to her home security and her water shut off automatically. Talk about peace of mind!

7. Secure Outdoor Items: Store outdoor furniture, grills, and other valuable items securely to prevent theft or damage in your absence.

8. Check Your Insurance Coverage: Review your home insurance policy to ensure you have adequate coverage for various scenarios, including theft, vandalism, or weather-related damage.

9. Inspect Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Prioritize safety by testing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors before you leave. Replace batteries if necessary to ensure they are in working condition.

10. Prepare for Emergencies: Finally, to ensure your home is ready for your getaway, create an emergency contact list with important phone numbers for local authorities, utility providers, and trusted neighbors or friends who can assist in an emergency.

Someone breaking into house

By following these expert tips, you can enjoy your getaway with the peace of mind that your home is safe and secure. Remember, proper preparation is key to ensuring a worry-free travel experience.

Need more information? Ask the experts!

If you have specific questions about Insurance or Home Security, contact the experts! Kimberly Demchuk with Allstate can be reached at kdemchuk@allstate.ca or Adam Williams with Liberty Security at awilliams@libertysecurity.ca.