Burglary, fireplace hazards, short circuits or loose wire connections leading to electrical hazards, etc. The list of all that can go wrong while you are away holidaying is endless. However, it only requires some smart planning and a few simple measures to ensure that your home is protected during holidays. Be it electrical hazards or thieves, these 5 safety tips can help ensure that you enjoy your holidays worry-free.

  1. Don’t Announce Your Travel Plans Online

    Anyone would love to share their travel plans or post the pictures of their vacation instantly on their social media accounts. However, it is as good as posting a sign on your front door that you are away. Be careful about what you post on social media. Do not share your trip plans, location, or home address on your social media accounts. Avoid posting your pictures until you are back home.

  2. Inform Your Neighbors

    Ask the neighbors you trust to keep your home safe while you are away for holidays. They can help by taking out your trash, collecting the mail and keeping a general watch for you until you return. They can also park their cars in your driveway. All these simple steps can make it look like the house is occupied.

  3. Ensure Electrical Safety

    Electrical hazards are also among the top reported incidents during holidays. To ensure electrical safety for your house during the holiday season:

    • Replace any damaged, broken or loose cords and connections while decorating
    • Read and follow the installations instructions carefully especially for electrical decorations
    • Faulty appliance wiring, loose wire connections and faulty circuit wire insulation can all lead to short circuits and eventually electrical hazards. Avoid these by installing protective devices such as a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter or GFCI. It protects electrical wiring and receptacles from overheating which minimizes the risk of shocks, burns, and fires.
    • Do not overload electrical circuits or extension cords
    • Turn off the lights when you go to bed
    • Use an outdoor timer or smart outlet to schedule switching on and off of the lights
    • Make sure the fire extinguisher is easily accessible and in a working condition/li>

  4. Use Smart Technology

    There are several smart technological options available today to help you protect your home if you are going on a holiday. For instance, a Wi-Fi security camera can give you some peace of mind. You need not constantly worry about what’s happening at home while you are away on vacation. With this camera you can get access to a live view of your house from anywhere and at any time on your mobile device. You can also make it look like the home is occupied when you are away for holidays. Simply plug a Wi-Fi Smart plug into any open outlet in your home and plug a light in. You can then create on/off light schedules with the help of your smartphone or tablet.

  5. Place the Gifts Smartly

    It’s Christmas and you want to go all out with your tree decorations and gifts display. However, pretty wrapped gifts placed near the window or places with a view are an open invitation for thieves. If you aren’t home, it’s easy for burglars to break through the window and grab all the gifts. So place the tree and your gifts smartly away from places that are easily visible from the outside.

Prevention is always better than cure. Follow these simple tips and the only thing you will be worrying about is what to wear or what to eat on your vacation!