Preparing & Securing Your Home Before Vacation

by California Casualty | Homeowners Insurance Info | 0 comments

Is there anything better than knowing your vacation is near? You’ve taken off work and you’re busy planning and packing. But while you’re focused on your destination, don’t forget that you’ll also be leaving your home unattended.

Whether you’re heading out of town for two days or two weeks, take the time to prepare your house and property so there will be no unfortunate surprises (or visitors) while you’re away.

Make your home looks lived-in.

Savvy thieves look for signs that you are away, such as an overgrown lawn, a pile-up of mail or packages, or an empty driveway. A well-maintained home and property reinforce the fact that people are living here, and most likely at home.

• • Mow and edge your lawn before you leave. Trim your bushes, especially around windows and close to your house.
  • Pick up any debris and any personal items in your front or backyard.
  • Stop your mail and newspapers, and arrange for a neighbor to pick up any packages.
  • Leave a car parked in your driveway or ask a neighbor to park in front of your house.
  • Invest in an inexpensive light timer to turn the lights on and off while you’re away.

Secure your home and property.

There’s a lot more than simply locking the doors that goes into securing your home and property. You want to make it unlikely that a thief would target your home, and also protect its contents should a neighborhood fire or disaster occur.

• • A security system can help protect your property and also reduce the cost of your home insurance policy.
  • Consider a motion-sensor floodlight, which can help to deter trespassers.
  • Make sure your important papers are in a fireproof container or safe.
  • Leave an emergency contact number and a spare key with a trusted neighbor. (Don’t hide your key in a rock. That’s the first place a thief will look.)
  • Don’t advertise that you are going away on social media. Wait until you return home to post photos.

Clean thoroughly.

Coming home to a dirty house is no fun. Neither is being greeted by week-old smells of stinky garbage. Take the time to clean up before you leave so everything is fresh and ready for your return.

• • Give your house an overall cleaning.
  • Empty the refrigerator of perishable items.
  • Empty all of the trashcans, especially the kitchen trash, right before you leave. Ask your neighbor to put out your trash cans on the next trash day.
  • Run your garbage disposal with half a cup of vinegar and some water.
  • Do the laundry and change the sheets.

Make plans for your pets and your plants.

It goes without saying that you won’t leave your pets or plants unattended if you’re going to be away.

• • Depending on the type of pet, you may need a pet sitter or boarding facility. Make those plans well in advance of your trip.
  • If you’re leaving pets at home, make arrangements for someone to check on them. You will provide them with food and water of course. But even low-maintenance animals can get accidentally trapped in spaces or encounter other mischief.
  • Ask a neighbor to water your plants at your home or theirs. If you dole out your plants to multiple neighbors, make a list of plants and locations so you know who has what.

Put your systems in vacation mode.

If no one will be living in your house, why pay for gas, electric or water? It’s a good time to save energy by shutting down the home systems that you don’t need, taking into account if there are any pets or plants that will need them.

• • Put your water heater in vacation mode. It’s a setting that allows your water heater to run your boiler at a lower temperature than normal.
  • Turn off the water valves to the dishwasher, washing machine and all sinks, if no one is going to be using them (such as a neighbor watering plants).
  • Set your thermostat to a temperature closer to the outside temperature. Just remember to adjust it for pets and plants as needed.
  • Change the batteries in your smoke detectors if you have not recently done so.

Do a final check the day you leave.

There’s a lot to think about as you’re leaving for vacation, and likely your mind is more focused on the trip ahead than what’s happening at home. This is where a final “to do” list and check-in helps. Plan to do these things on the day you leave.

• • Unplug and shut off appliances not in use. Not only does this save on your electric bills, it protects items from power surges.
  • Close all doors and windows. Close the curtains and blinds.
  • Leave on a light or two on or set a lamp timer.
  • Set the thermostat appropriately.
  • Check the washer. The last thing you want is old (and smelly) wet laundry to greet you when you return.
  • Make sure your oven is off. Make sure your iron is off.
  • Pro tip: Take pictures of items you’re worried about, such as oven knobs to show they’re off. That way, you can check back if you’re concerned about them.

Check-in while you’re away.

You may be out of town, but you’ve got great ways to check in to see what’s happening in the neighborhood.

• • Subscribe to a local app such as NextDoor.
  • Look at online footage from your home’s security camera.
  • Text or call a neighbor to check in.

You also may consider hiring a house sitter so that you don’t have to worry about what’s happening at home. If you do choose that route, make sure that the person is a reputable one. Establish a set of rules, so it is clear what your house sitter can and cannot do (for example: can watch Netflix; can’t have parties).

Don’t forget to thank the neighbors who helped you. Bring them a souvenir or small gift from your vacation or get them a gift card for a dinner out.

Finally, know that your home and property are protected by homeowner’s insurance. Should anything happen while you’re gone, your policy helps provide that peace of mind.

Have a great trip.

This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.

Spring Cleaning Fire Safety Tips

by California Casualty | Homeowners Insurance Info | 0 comments

There’s a reason spring cleaning is so popular-the birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and there is a sense of newness in the air! There’s no better time to open up those windows and scrub away all signs of winter. However, spring cleaning isn’t just for dusting and decluttering. It’s also a great chance to assess and address safety issues, especially fire hazards.

Every 89 seconds, a fire department responds to a home fire in the U.S. And according to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2020, home fires were responsible for 3,500 deaths, 15,200 injuries, and $21.9 billion in property damage.

When you clean with fire safety in mind, you help protect your home and family from these often-unforeseen fire safety dangers. To help you stay safe this season, we’ve compiled the top safety cleaning tips from fire departments around the country.

Tip #1: Clear your stovetop of fire hazards.

Stovetops account for the majority of kitchen fires. Making sure that there are no flammable hazards nearby will help prevent the flames from catching and spreading a fire.

• • Keep your stovetop clean between cooking meals.
  • Put space between your stove and anything flammable: oven mitts, wooden utensils, towels, wooden stove covers, and kitchen curtains.
  • Keep your kitchen counter free of grease or clutter.
  • Always stay near the food you are cooking.
  • Turn pot handles inward so you can’t accidentally bump them.

Tip #2: Clean the lint trap in your dryer.

Dryers are a common cause of home fires, and too often, the lint traps are the culprit. Making sure your lint trap is not too full will help.

• • Clean lint filters before or after each load.
  • Remove lint from around the dryer rim.
  • Make sure the air exhaust vent pipe is free and clear, and that the outdoor vent flap opens when the dryer is on.
  • Move flammable items like cardboard and cleaning supplies away from the dryer, especially when it is on.

Tip #3: Check extension cords, outlets, and wiring.

Damaged cords, overtaxed outlets, and old wiring can cause electrical fires. Check these items to make sure that your electrical setup is not putting your safety at risk.

• • Check for frayed or damaged extension cords. If you find any, throw them out and replace them.
  • Make sure your extension cords are rated for the appliances and items that they are powering.
  • Do not put electric cords under carpets or across doorways.
  • Check to make sure that your outlets aren’t overloaded.
  • If an electric appliance smokes, smells funny, or is drawing heat when plugged in, unplug it.
  • If you’re familiar with your home’s electrical system and you can take a look, check for scorch marks or frayed wires. Call an electrician to update or rewire the system.

Tip #4: Check for potential fire hazards.

As you do your spring cleaning, check your home for possible fire hazards. Then, take the steps to minimize their risk.

• • Keep space heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn. Turn them off before leaving the room and before going to sleep.
  • Practice safety with candle flames. Store matches where children cannot get them. Alternatively use child-resistant lighters.
  • If you have a chimney, get it professionally cleaned and inspected. Chimneys can have a build-up accumulation of creosote, a flammable substance that lines the flue.
  • Keep cleaning fluids away from heat sources. Many are combustible. These chemicals could even heat up to dangerous levels outside in the sun. (Consider non-toxic cleaners that are safer when heated, such as vinegar mixed with water.)

Tip #5: Remove potential hazards from the garage.

The garage is where we often store our extra stuff. That includes items that could fuel a fire. As part of your cleaning routine, declutter the garage.

• • Remove stored newspapers, wrapping paper, blankets, and other flammable items that you may be storing in the garage.
  • Dispose of oil or greasy rags. Never leave them in a pile. If you must keep them, store them in a labeled metal container.
  • Move propane or gasoline outside your home to a shed or detached garage.
  • Check your lawn mower’s gas tank for rust. Make sure the fuel line has no leaks. Check any other gas-powered tools, too.

Tip #6: Clear your outside space.

Even fallen leaves and grass clippings can become fuel for a fire. That’s why clearing your yard is so important.

• • Clean away dead vegetation, fallen branches, and any debris.
  • Clean leaves from your roof and gutters.
  • Move trash and woodpiles at least 30 feet away from your house.
  • Replace mulch, and keep it at least 3 feet from the house.
  • Position your barbecue grill away from your home. Also, keep it away from windows, heating and air conditioning units, and vegetation. Clean the grease or fat buildup every time you cook.
  • Make sure your propane hose has no leaks or cracks. If you smell gas when you turn it on, shut it off immediately.

Tip #7: Be prepared.

Despite your best efforts, fires can happen. Make sure you are fully prepared to know about them and to take action.

• • Test smoke alarms monthly. Make sure they have working batteries. Replace batteries every six months. Replace the smoke detectors every 10 years.
  • Make sure smoke detectors are on every level of the house, including the basement, and outside every bedroom. Consider interconnected smoke alarms, so if one goes off, then all will sound the alarm.
  • Keep fire extinguishers fully charged and easily reachable.
  • Make sure doors and windows easily open in case of the need to escape fast.
  • Display your house number prominently in case you need to call for help.
  • Create a family escape plan. Include a map of each level of your home. Make sure there are 2 escape routes for each room, such as a window and door. Make sure you account for pets, and also name an outside meeting place in the event of an emergency.
  • Practice the plan so that everyone is ready, just in case.

For more home tips on fire safety this spring, check out our blog on The 6 Most At-Risk Fire Areas of Your Home.

This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.