Protect Your Home While You Are Away

HARTFORD — Professional Insurance Agents of Connecticut Inc reminds homeowners that almost all types of household crime happens when people spend more time away from home.

“If the unthinkable happens, you can help limit the financial losses with the protection offered in your homeowners insurance policy,” said Robert Gyle IV, PIACT president.

Are you doing all you can to keep your home safe from burglars? PIACT offers the following tips to help stop unwanted guests from entering your home.

Make sure your home looks lived in. Stop mail and cancel all deliveries or ask a friend to make daily collections. Put an automatic timer on several lights and the radio.

Leave a key with a trusted neighbor and tell him or her your departure and return dates. Also, leave him or her the phone number of where you will be staying in case of emergency.

Lock all windows and doors. Never leave a spare house key hidden outside your home. If you leave your car at home, park it as you normally would.

Tell local police you plan to be away. Officers may have the opportunity to periodically check your home.

Turn the bell or ringer on your telephone as low as possible. Don’t announce your absence on your answering machines; leave your normal message.

“Taking these steps can reduce the possibility of a break-in while you’re gone. You may also be eligible for lower premiums if you have certain protective devices installed in your home such as a burglar alarm, fire alarm, or smoke detector,” said Mr Gyle.

PIACT is a trade association representing professional, independent insurance agencies; brokerages and their employees throughout the state.