For snowbirds heading south for the winter months, there are a number of simple steps they can take to make sure their property stays safe and secure while away.
Some are obvious, such as installing an alarm system, but to Margie Johnson, of Holiday Home Watch in Nanaimo, there’s much more homeowners can do.
For starters, have someone visit your home on a regular basis to pick up newspapers and junk mail and, if it snows, shovel your walk. This will deter thieves by giving your home a lived-in appearance.
Also, trim back any trees and shrubs that might give cover to someone trying to enter your home.
And if you’re concerned about identity theft, turn off your computer, unplug the power, and unhook the internet connection.
Johnson points out a regular, brief home inspection by someone you trust can save big dollars in the long run.
“If a roof or window has been damaged by a storm, or a pipe has burst, you’ll want to have someone catch it as soon as possible,” she said.
A home monitoring service can do even more.
“For folks who are away during the summer, we can arrange regular lawn and garden care” she said.
For more information, please visit www.holidayhomewatch.com.