Home safety checklist for cottage goers

How to protect your home from a distance

When you're going away on your annual cottage 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, V.P. of Marketing and Business Development for Reliance Protectron Security Services, there are several key steps you should take to ensure peace of mind when away from home. The following Reliance 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 neighbor collect them for you?
• Does the house look lived-in?

That means having someone park their car in your driveway if you're taking yours. You can even ask a neighbor 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. Place a bar or stick of wood in the lower track of sliding doors or windows, to be extra safe.

• 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 home security system is three times less susceptible to a break in than one without a system. Home security system decals and yard signs are also an effective deterrent. Make sure your home security system includes a loud inside house siren, detectors at all exterior doors, and motion sensors in the master bedroom and main living areas.

De Luca says the latest technology in home security systems can now allow to monitor your home from a distance by wireless transmission (SkyGARD) if you have a cell phone as a primary line for example or simply for added protection. The home security system is linked to our ULC interlinked remote monitoring centres 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 with TeleGARD (cleaning staff, neighbors, family)" De Luca added.

For more information on protecting your home while you're away visit www.protectron.com.