Auto Club Offers Tips for Keeping Home Safe During Vacation
21 June 2000
Auto Club Offers Tips for Keeping Home Safe During Vacation
LOS ANGELES - While summer is the most popular time for vacations, it can also provide more opportunities for home break-ins.The Automobile Club of Southern California reminds vacationers that taking a few simple precautions can reduce the risk of home burglary.
"Residential burglaries are most likely to occur if the residence appears to be unoccupied and if access seems relatively easy," said Steve Hagen, product manager of homeowners insurance for the Automobile Club. "Homeowners can take a few simple steps to help deter burglars."
The Auto Club offers the following tips to help keep your home safe while you're vacationing:
-- Double-check all door and window locks, and invest in slide
lock protection for sliding-glass doors, a frequent point of
entry for burglars. Garage windows and doors should also be
secured.
-- Ask a trusted friend to stop by your home at different times
if possible while you are away, or to be a house-sitter. Ask
them to turn on lights at night, or consider buying a light
timer set for every evening. Setting up multiple timers in
alternating rooms works best. Radio timers are also a good
idea.
-- Temporarily cancel newspaper subscriptions and postpone mail
delivery.
-- Engrave your name on your large valuables. It makes them less
attractive to burglars, and also assists with quicker
identification if they are stolen and recovered.
-- Consider installing an alarm system, which can serve not only
as protection but may qualify you for a discount on your
homeowner's insurance.
-- Consider parking your second vehicle in your driveway while
you are away. If you will be away for more than a week, ask a
friend to change the position of the car a few times during
your absence.
-- Move expensive electronic equipment away from the windows
where it is easily visible.
-- Don't give your house a "closed-down" look by completely
shutting drapes and blinds.
-- Make certain your homeowners insurance is paid and the policy
suits your current needs.
-- Arrange for lawn service if your trip will be longer than one
week.
-- Never leave spare keys "hidden" under doormats or anywhere
outside the house.
-- If you're departing from a local airport, don't expose
personal addresses on your luggage tags. Use a business
address instead.
The Auto Club also advises travelers to use caution with their personal belongings while they are away:
-- Use the hotel safe to store valuable items instead of leaving
them lying around your hotel room.
-- Keep the entry and balcony doors locked and use deadbolts and
chains whenever possible.
-- Don't open the door to anyone. Even if a hotel repairman shows
up, call the front desk to verify that a repairman has been
sent.
-- Don't leave keys lying around when you're at the beach or
pool.
-- On the road, don't leave valuables inside the car where they
can be seen.
-- Always lock your car doors, even if you will be gone just for
a few minutes.
-- At night, park in a lighted, visible place. If someone seems
to be following you as you walk to your car, walk past it and
find help.
The Auto Club offers additional travel safety guidelines on its Web site (www.aaa-calif.com) under "travel services." Consumers may also request quotes for homeowners insurance at the Auto Club's Web site.
The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit by the organization's roadside assistance, insurance services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs and legislative advocacy.