West’s Insurance Agency Recommends Top Home Safety Tips For Summer Vacations

Simple Proactive Precautions Can Help Secure Your Home Against Unwanted Visitors & Help Keep Your Vacation Worry-Free

Gurnee, IL – Summer is in full-swing, and families across the country are getting ready to take their annual summer vacations.  While families are busy packing their bags, though, burglars are busy scouting out vacant houses.  According to data from the Insurance Information Institute (III), more than 2.15 million burglaries occur each year, over 65 percent of which are residential break-ins. The FBI also notes that the summer months of July and August have the highest rates of burglaries, usually about a 10 percent increase over other times of the year. 

 “Part of our ongoing commitment to our customers includes enhancing personal relationships and delivering exceptional customer service by providing both reactive and proactive assistance,” said Brent Jones, president and owner of West’s Insurance Agency.  “We strive to deliver both a superior response when a claim situation stems from a break-in and pre-emptive recommendations to help avoid a break-in in the first place.”

Whether heading out by plane, train or automobile, taking some simple vacation safety tips can help families secure both their homes and their peace of mind while away.  West’s recommends planning ahead throughout the year to make sure homes are equipped with a few key items.  Then, the night before departure, take a few minutes to review some simple, proactive safety tips:

Vacation -- Home Safety Checklist:

·         Are your inside lights set on timers?  Consider installing ones that allow for various on/off settings to switch up the illuminated times each day.  Also consider putting TVs and radios on random-setting timers to stir up some noise coming from the property.

·         Set your outside motion sensor lights set for both the front and back of the house.  Keep in mind burglars are less likely to move closer to your house if a spotlight is shining on them!

·         Test burglar and fire alarms.  Consider tipping your home alarm company of your vacation plans so they can be sure to reach you should the need arise.

·         Put a hold on mail or ask a neighbor to pick it up.  Also consider asking a neighbor to check in on your house every once in awhile while you’re away, keeping in mind removing any flyers or postcards that may be dropped on your porch.   As an added bonus, have the neighbor periodically park in your driveway to give the appearance the home is occupied.

·         Notify local police about your vacation schedule and ask them to check in on your home periodically.  Seeing a police car stop regularly at a house is a great deterrent for potential thieves.

·         Lock up all valuables in an at-home safe or in a bank safe deposit box.  In the case of a break in, this will deny the perpetrator access to your most valued possessions.

·         Don’t change voice mail, answering machine or email messages to say you’re out of town.  Also consider lowering the volume on your answering machine so outsiders do not hear regular unanswered calls.

·         Unplug small electrical devices, and consider cutting off electricity, gas and water to avoid potential flooding, gas leakage or fire.  Turn the temperature up on your air conditioner to save money on unused cooler air.

·         Do you regularly leave a spare key outside in case of emergency?  Don’t forget to remove it.

·         Make sure to lock your garage and remove GPS and insurance information cards from any cars left inside.

·         Consider leaving your blinds and curtains partially or fully open to give the house a “lived in” look.

·         Finally, although tempting, always consider your audience when making any social media posts about being out of town.  Remember that nothing posted online is completely private so err on the side of caution and consider posting post-vacation photos instead of making pre-vacation announcements! 

Most standard homeowners insurance policies provide coverage for theft of personal possessions and damage to the home caused by the break-in.  Please call your Agent to discuss how your individual homeowners’ policy would respond in the event of a burglary or theft.  West’s hopes, though, that these recommended preparations will help lessen any break-in threats and potential worry for families and help them focus on what’s really important – enjoying their vacation!  Bon voyage!

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West’s Insurance is a fourth-generation, family-owned, independent insurance agency based along the Northshore of Chicago, IL.  For nearly 85 years, West's has been delivering a suite of personalized and custom insurance options to businesses, individuals and franchises both locally and across the country. Working with a variety of premier carriers, the agency specializes in areas such as commercial, personal, life & health and franchise solutions.  The company prides itself on developing personal relationships with each of its clients to ensure adequate coverage and ongoing comprehensive care. Contact them at 847-623-0456 or visit their Gurnee, IL location at 1225 Tri State Parkway #500.  Find them online at http://www.westinsurance.com or Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/wests.insurance, Twitter, https://twitter.com/WestsInsurance or LinkedIn, http://www.linkedin.com/company/1931003.