Long vacations and extended business trips leave your Winnipeg area home vulnerable to theft and damage. With a few simple steps you can protect your home while you’re away, deterring thieves and avoiding accidental and environmental damage. Protect your home from thieves Equipping your house with a security system is a smart way to deter thieves. But remember that burglars look for unoccupied homes they can quickly enter undetected. Invest in light timers on every level of your home. Have a neighbor put out the garbage and recycling and either cancel your newspaper subscription or have the neighbor bring in your daily mail. They should check the house over every few days as well. Depending on the season, arrange to have the lawn mowed or the driveway shoveled. Protect your home from damage Besides deterring would-be thieves, you’ll also need to protect your Winnipeg area home from accidents and environmental damage. The risk of fire and water damage increases while you’re away. Depending on the length of your trip, it may be a good idea to turn off your water at the main valve. Always be sure to shut off outside taps, but closing the main water valve is a wise measure. When leaving for an extended winter trip, have pipes and appliances (hot water tank, fridge etc.) drained to avoid the risk of bursting in sub-zero temperatures. Check your insurance policy to see if these arrangements are required for full coverage. It is also important to have your home checked on a daily basis if you are away for more than a couple days during the winter. (Call our TEAM to learn more about the fine print that may cover this in your policy.) Be sure all appliances are turned off or unplugged before leaving on your trip. Use only high quality light timers and test them beforehand. Some security systems provide smoke alarms and low temperature monitoring for optimum safety, even when you’re not at home. Protect your Winnipeg area home from break-ins and damage while on vacation. Take action to protect the building and come home to a clean, undamaged home. In the unfortunate event that despite your precautions, you do suffer a loss, please be sure to contact our TEAM and the police if necessary.  Our after hours emergency service line is (204) 339-2048.