Greater Vancouver Accommodation: Vacation Home Or Cottage Safety

(NC)-When you're going away on your annual vacation you want to rest - and rest easy too. You want peace of mind that your home is as safe as it can be from burglary or other damage.

According to Patrice De Luca, vice president of marketing and business development for Reliance Protectron Security Services, there are several key steps Snowbirds should take to ensure peace of mind when away from home. The following Protectron home safety checklist can help you plan important safety measures before your departure:

Did you suspend your newspaper and mail delivery; or have a neighbour collect them for you?
Does the house look lived in?
That means having someone shovel the walk, clear your car off if it snows, or park their car in your driveway if you're taking yours. You can even ask a neighbour to put a bag of garbage at your curb on garbage day.
Did you set your lights on timers, in various rooms?
With some timers, the lights go on and off at different times each day, which means a burglar can't pick up on a pattern. Motion sensor lights outside can also deter a burglar. Consider installing them in front and back.
Did you ensure that all your doors and windows are locked and secure?
Don't forget about the garage. To be extra safe, place a bar or stick of wood in the lower track of sliding doors or windows.
Did you turn off the water-main and unplug the major appliances as an added precaution?
Did you inform a neighbor when you're leaving and returning, and ask them to keep an eye out for anything suspicious?
Leave them a phone number where you can be reached, and a spare set of your keys in case of an emergency.
Did you consider a home security system?
A home security system is a very effective deterrent. When looking for their targets, thieves usually select an unoccupied home with the easiest access. Why not make it difficult for them. A home protected by a monitored security system is less susceptible to a break in than one without a system. Security system decals and signs are also an effective deterrent. Make sure your security system includes a loud inside alarm, detectors at all exterior doors, and motion sensors in the master bedroom and main living areas.

De Luca says the latest technology in security systems can now allow the monitoring of your home from a distance by wireless transmission (SkyGARD) if you have a cell phone as your primary line for example. The alarm system is linked to a remote monitoring centre that protects your home 24 hours a day against burglars, fire, carbon monoxide poisoning and floods by supervising the temperature, electrical system and point of entries of your home.

"We can even configure the system to alert you by e-mail of the duration of comings and goings in your home, (cleaning staff, neighbours, family) with the TeleGARD service," De Luca added. More information on protecting your home while you're away is available online at www.protectron.com.

- News Canada