Summer is a great time for major home projects and renovations, time spent with family, and a lot of other activities both at and away from home. To make sure your summer stays fun and your home stays protected, take care of these things before summer fully arrives.
Home Security
Summer, especially this year, tends to be a time of travel and fun. We’re off on adventures with our family, leaving our home empty and at risk. Whether you’re spending this summer in the backyard or in another state, make home security a priority.
Lock Windows and Doors
At the end of the day (or when you leave) close any windows and doors you’ve opened for air circulation. Make sure you lock them, as well. The last thing you need is someone coming in at night or while you’re away. Build a habit of checking doors and windows at night and before you leave to make sure they’re secure — and include your garage door, sheds, and other outbuildings, too.
Install Outdoor Motion Lights
You probably don’t want bright lights shining in your yard all night long, nor do your neighbors. But if someone is in your yard, you do need to know about that. Outdoor motion lights are perfect for this. A would-be burglar doesn’t want to get spotted outside so they’ll avoid your house, and you don’t have to worry about the lights being on when you’re trying to sleep.
Keep Valuables Out of Plain Sight
When your blinds or drapes are open, and especially when your windows are open, it’s important to keep your valuables put away. Many burglaries are crimes of opportunity. They saw something of value and decided to take it. Don’t make their job easy for them. Put things away, close your blinds when not in the room, and lock your windows after you close them.
Add Home Security Features to Your Home
From security cameras you operate with your smartphone to whole-house alarm systems monitored 24/7, you have a lot of options in home security. Install the features that will work for your home, your life, and your budget. These days, most monitoring can be done from a phone or web browser making it easier than ever to check up on home when you’re gone. It’s great for catching porch thieves stealing your Amazon order and getting help to your home in an emergency.
Accident Prevention
Summer fun means more time spent outside. The activities are fun, but accidents will happen. To protect your home and your family this summer, make accident prevention a priority.
Practice Grill Safety
Fires are a major hazard for homeowners. During the summer, the grill is a potential culprit for an accident. Before your next cookout, keep a few things in mind:
- Inspect your grill for damage before using it.
- Make sure you’re using the proper fuel for your grill.
- Keep your grill at least 10 feet from your home and don’t grill under tree limbs or awnings.
- Have a fire extinguisher handy.
- Keep children away from the grill while in use.
- Put out the flame immediately when done and allow to cool down completely before storing your grill away.
Secure Your Pool
You and the kids want to get out in the pool this summer, but make sure it’s safe for everyone before you do.
- Add a locking gate to prevent children — your own or neighbors — from accessing the pool without permission.
- Consider adding an alarm so you know when someone opens the gate to the pool.
- Never leave children unattended at the pool.
- Take a CPR class.
- Keep your pool clean and free from debris.
- Have your pool maintenanced regularly.
- If you have a deck or other structure attached to your pool, check it for damage and to make sure it’s structurally sound.
Home Maintenance
Taking care of your home prevents a lot of damage and accidents. Insurance companies take regular maintenance into account when you file a claim, as well. If the damage was caused by neglect, your claim won’t be paid. Now that it’s summer, make sure you take care of a few issues before they cause problems.
- Schedule routine pest control. Ideally this occurs quarterly, but early summer is ideal for pest control as well. The warm weather brings out the bugs, some of which can do serious damage to your home (like termites).
- Seal cracks around windows and doors. This prevents warm air from coming in but it also stops moisture from getting inside and causing damage, too.
- Clean your gutters. You want rain to move away from your home to prevent damage to your foundation, and your gutters need to be free of leaves and debris for this to happen.
- Deal with septic, sewer, and plumbing issues that could cause serious problems. This includes back-ups, clogged pipes, and/or flooding in and around your home.
One last thing to do to protect your home this summer: update your homeowners insurance. If it’s been years since you thought about your policy, you’re past due for an update. And if you’ve added a home security system, you might be entitled to a discount on your premiums.
Contact Charlotte Insurance today for free estimates on a new policy or to ask questions and update your existing homeowners policy.