Mary Alice Ruppert
Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker, Career and Business Development Leader
REALTOR®, ABR, AHWD, C2EX, CRB, ePro, GRI, SFR, SRES
December
23
23
Holiday Safety Tips for Long Island Homeowners Traveling Away
The holiday season is coming, and you might plan to visit your family. Our REALTORS® know you want to keep your home safe while you're gone. Here are some key ways to protect your house during your trip.
- Secure All Entry Points
Lock all doors and windows before you leave. Don't overlook less obvious entries like garage doors pet doors, and basement windows. Think about putting a rod or bar in sliding doors to stop break-ins. Adding deadbolts and better locks can make your home even safer. - Tell a Neighbor or Friend You Trust
Ask a neighbor or friend you trust to watch your house while you're gone. They can grab any packages or mail that show up and let you know if anything looks off. It's a good idea to give them your phone number and travel plans in case something comes up. Think about leaving them a spare key so they can get into your house if they need to. - Stop Your Mail and Deliveries
Piles of mail and packages left outside can tip off burglars that nobody's home, making your house an easy target. You can ask the post office to hold your mail until you get back—you can do this online, which is pretty handy. Or you could get a friend or neighbor to pick up your stuff so it looks like someone's still around. - Use Timers for Lights and Electronics
Setting timers for lights and electronics can give the impression that someone's home, which discourages potential burglars. Put timers on lights in different rooms to turn on at various times, copying typical usage patterns. You can also set timers for radios or TVs to add noise to your house. Smart home tech lets you control these devices from afar, giving you more options. - Watch What You Share on Social Media
Don't post your travel plans on social media, as this might tell others your house is empty. Even with private profiles, info can spread more than you expect. Hold off on sharing vacation photos and stories until you get back. This easy step can help protect your home while you're gone. - Turn Off All Appliances
Before you head out, make sure you've switched off and unplugged all appliances if you can. This helps prevent electrical problems. It lowers the chances of electrical fires or other dangers while you're not home. Remember to set your thermostat to save power while you're gone. Choose a temperature that stops pipes from freezing but doesn't waste energy. If you have gas in your home, make sure you've turned it off if needed. - Keep Your Yard Tidy
A messy yard might show that no one's home. Get someone to clear snow if needed. A well-kept property looks like someone's there, which might scare off thieves.
Protecting your house during vacations lets you relax while you're gone. If you're interested in Nassau County or Suffolk County homes for sale, we can lend a hand. Contact us for expert help with any real estate questions you have.
Mary Alice Ruppert
Office: (631) 581-7979 ext. 102
Cell: (631) 424-4639
Fax: (631) 581-3080
Voice Mail: (631) 581-7979
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