Preparing Your Home Before Your Winter VacationUncategorizedJanuary 13, 2016With many of us planning to migrate to warmer climates and escaping the cold this winter holiday. We at Pacific Insurance Broker Inc. would like give you a friendly reminder on the importance of preparing your home for a winter vacation so that you can have peace of mind that your home is protected while you’re away. Get rid garbage and perishable food while you are away. No one likes coming back to a fridge full of rancid and rotten food. Garbage can attract unwanted visitors and its best to get rid of it before you go on an extended vacation. Unplug electronic devices. This could save you from unnecessary utility costs as well as prevent anything from going wrong with the appliance while you’re away. Lower your thermostat. This will save on utility costs and still prevent your pipes from freezing in the winter. You want to avoid turning the heat off completely though, as your pipes may freeze and burst if it gets too cold. You should keep your home warm enough to be livable for any pets as well, should you have any. Put your water heater on vacation mode to save on utility costs. Turn off and drain your pipes, especially any pipes that are exposed to the cold. This includes the washer, dishwasher, sinks, any outdoor taps and hoses, etc… This could save you from a huge headache dealing with water damage on your return. In addition, it is important to provide a trusted neighbor or person a key to the house while you are away. Some insurance companies may not insure you against frozen pipes if you have not arranged for someone to come check your home every 72 hours. Keep some lights on or on a timer and try to have a neighbor or someone you know shovel your driveway or at least drive onto it. This will keep your house looking lived in and prevent burglars. Keep the plants watered, notify a neighbor or someone you trust to keep the plants watered. Call your security system company and notify them that you will be out of town. They will know to respond should anything happen. Make sure your smoke detectors are functioning properly. Put your newspaper and mail on hold. A quick call to your post office can keep your mail from piling up. With this check-list you will be sure to have a worry free vacation and escape from the chilly winter weather this holiday season!