5 Safety Precautions to Take Before Your Next Vacation - NYCM Insurance Blog

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Apr 21, 2023

5 Safety Precautions to Take Before Your Next Vacation



Protect Your Home and Family With These 5 Critical Safety Measures Before Even Leaving The House!


With summer weather on the way, many people may be planning for a vacation away from home. Spending time with family and friends on vacation is exciting, however the stress of traveling can make safety planning for vacation a challenge. We know that your home and family’s safety is of the utmost importance, so we’ve put together a list of our top five safety precautions to take before your next vacation.


Research Your Destination


Whether you are traveling somewhere you’ve never been or somewhere you’ve been one hundred times, it’s always a good idea to research your destination. You’ll want to have some basic knowledge when it comes to the layout of the location, weather, crime rates, and areas to stay away from. The more details you know about where you are going, the better. Having that information is going to make it easier for you to make all kinds of decisions. For example, it can help you know what to pack for your  trip, where you might want to eat or even where you might want to go exploring. Most importantly, you’ll have a heads up on the areas that you should avoid.

 

Secure Your Home


You can help prevent your home from becoming a target for burglary and avoid other safety hazards by thoroughly securing it before you leave. It may sound obvious but it’s important to check and make sure that all windows and doors to your home and any other structure on your property are locked. A locked entrance is enough to deter many burglars as they often want to avoid causing a scene when trying to enter. If you don’t already have an alarm or security system installed, we highly recommend making the investment. If you do have a professionally monitored alarm system, you’ll want to alert the alarm company prior to your departure. You might also consider installing remote controlled lights inside your home as they give you the option to turn lights on from anywhere, creating the illusion that someone is home. Installing motion-detection lights on the exterior of your home can act as another form of deterrent for burglary and theft.

You’ll want to make sure that your TV, computer, and any other electronics as well as lamps and appliances are unplugged in the event of a
power surge. Be sure that your air conditioning and heat are set at the appropriate temperatures as well, depending on the time of year.

 

Let a Trusted Friend or Family Member Know Your Plans, Not Social Media


It is important that you tell one trusted family member or friend about your vacation plans. Doing this can help ensure that someone knows where you are in the event of an emergency. They may also be able to keep an eye on your home while you are away. It is critical that you do not share details of your vacation on social media including where you are going, or how long you will be away. Doing so can mark your home as an easy target for burglary and theft. 

 

Protect Your Information 


Fun and leisure can come to a screeching halt if your personal data has been compromised while traveling. It’s important to do all that you can to protect your devices before you even leave the house. Be sure to enable passwords and pins on your mobile devices, as well as on important apps such as those that connect to your  financial and banking accounts.

 

You’ll also want to make sure that you turn off automatic Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity and only use password protected WiFi networks. Consider adding a VPN app on your device to double-up on security.

 

While traveling, vacation should be the only thing on your mind! Be sure to follow these tips before leaving your home to make sure things are taken care of while you’re away!