Do these 6 things before leaving for Thanksgiving 

Heading out of town to spend Thanksgiving with family and friends? Before surfing on a wave of mashed potatoes into a sea of gravy and quickly passing out next to a football game on TV, there are some things you should do to keep your home safe over the Thanksgiving holiday. Crime spikes around the holidays because people are out of town traveling, so many homes are left unattended and ripe for thieves to help themselves. With these eight theft-prevention tips for Thanksgiving travel, you’re less likely to have to file a homeowners insurance claim. 

1. Double-check your homeowners insurance before you leave

Plan for the best, prepare for the worst. Before you leave for Thanksgiving break, double check that your current homeowners insurance policy includes enough coverage to pay for damages just in case your home is broken into or experiences another covered event (like a tree falling or storm damage) over the Thanksgiving holidays. How much homeowners coverage do you need? Give us a call, and we’ll help you figure out a number that keeps you covered without breaking your budget. 

2. Set up timed lighting  

A pitch-dark house in the evening is a sure sign that no one is home. A home that’s lighted all day and all night sends the same message. To make it look like you’re home, choose a few lamps in different rooms of your home and put them on timers to turn off and on in a natural rhythm. If your home is outfitted with smart home technology, this is even easier. If you don’t have a smart home, you can achieve the same effect with the timers you use for your Christmas lights, which are available all year round online. 

3. Get someone to keep an eye on your home  

Sometimes, nosy neighbors are a good thing. Let someone in your neighborhood know you’ll be gone over the holidays. That way, if someone is in your yard or driveway while you’re away, the neighbor can intervene or call the police, just in case. 

4. Keep your trash 

If you leave for your travels on trash day, either have a neighbor take your cans back to your house or just forgo trash pickup that day altogether. Trash cans left by the curb for days are a sign to thieves that your house is unoccupied, which could lead to a devastating break-in and a claim on your homeowners insurance. 

5. Hold your mail

All it takes is a couple of clicks on the USPS website to hold your mail while you’re gone for the Thanksgiving holidays. An overfull mailbox is a flashing red light to thieves that your home is unoccupied and they can help themselves. 

6. Stay off social media  

Posting pictures of your Thanksgiving getaway can let friends and family know what you’re up to while you’re enjoying your break, but they can also let thieves know that your house is unattended. Even if your social media profiles are private, it’s a good idea to pause on posting about your trip until you get back home. 

Thanksgiving holidays are a great time to reassess your homeowners insurance! 

Mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, and homeowners insurance – a balanced Thanksgiving for sure. While you’re taking a few days off for the holidays, give us a call to make sure the coverage of your homeowners insurance is enough to keep you safe in case the worst happens. We’re always happy to help!