Safety Checklist for Virginia Households

When business trips, family vacations, fun weekend getaways, or even long workdays keep you away, it's important for Virginia homeowners to know your home sweet home is safe in your absence. Do you take steps to keep your home safe? Or do you walk out the door every day with your fingers crossed, hoping nothing goes amiss while you are gone? If you answered yes to the second question, it's time to get proactive, because you do have the power to prevent misfortunes. In addition to preventing any physical harm to the dwelling and the land on which it sits, you also want to prevent a break-in and burglary. Fortunately, there are several simple ways to help keep your home safe while you are out.

Keep Thieves at Bay - If your home appears occupied, those burglars trolling the neighborhood for good targets will pass it by, as will the vandals who are out to destroy property. Hook up one or more indoor lights to a timer, so that they turn on and off in your absence, giving the impression that someone is home. Pay a snow removal service remove snow from your driveway, sidewalk and steps while you are gone. Ask a neighbor to pick up the daily papers from your front stoop, so they don't pile up and alert potential burglars to the fact that you are out of town. Motion-activated lights, or lights set to a timer, are a smart addition to your home's exterior. They can deter robbers and vandals at night.

Keep Wind and Water Out - Wet and snowy weather can do harm to your home while you are gone. Ice and snow can accumulate on tree branches and cause them to break, which in turn may cause damage to your house. Trim branches to make sure they are six feet away from your home's roof and walls. Fix all roof leaks before you leave town, and make sure the gutters are clean to promote drainage and prevent the creation of ice dams.

Turn off Water - If you will be gone for more than a few days, you may want to consider turning of the water in your home. Water heaters, appliances, and pipes may leak orin cold weatherburst while you are gone.

Keep the House Warm - This is especially relevant if you live in a cold climate and it's wintertime. Keep the thermostat set to no lower than 68 degrees to prevent the pipes from freezing.

Store Chemicals Safely - Make sure that all chemicals, pollutants, and combustible materials are properly stored in protective containers and cabinets.

Don't Leave Pets Unsupervised - Pets, especially lonely and bored ones, can get into all kinds of trouble while you are away, and do substantial damage to your home. For example, a curious cat might get into a cabinet and spill a bottle of flammable cleaning fluid, while an anxious dog might claw at a door in an attempt to get outside. Make arrangements for someone to watch over your furry friends before you leave town.

Collaborate with Neighbors - Asking a trusted neighbor to look after your home while you are gone can give you great peace of mind. He or she can help maintain the yard, water plants, and help to give the impression that someone is around. If you offer to do the same in return when your neighbor leaves town, chances are they'll be glad to help you out.

Call or contact Robins Insurance about all of your insurance needs.