Home Security - Checklist for Unoccupied Homes

This is a check list you should follow if you plan to leave your home unoccupied for any length of time. Home security is very important to everyone. Not only do you risk losing your value able possessions, many people feel that their personal space has been violated if their home has been broken into. Protect your home by following a few common sense steps, increase your security and avoid leaving your home as an inviting place to visit by burglars. While it it is not all inclusive, it is a good start and you can add your own personal items to this list or check with local companies for additional security items to be aware of to keep your home secure.

Please feel free to email us at Email: contact@GCCIhome.com or to call us at 613-298-6297. We will be pleased to discuss your needs.

Check with your insurance company before leaving your home vacant
Make arrangements for someone to visit the home regularly
Your insurance company may want daily visits
Arrange for snow clearing and summer maintenance services
Turn off the main water intake to avoid frozen pipes in the winter if the furnace does not run
Visit www.homeandpetsitters.ca for more information
Install timers to make the house appear to be lived in
Turn off your water heater to save energy and to avoid it boiling dry if you turn off the water
Turn off all outside water taps
Turn off the main water valve in your home
Run the water once a month, flush Toilets to avoid toilets running dry from evaporation

A company providing property management or home sitting services can arrange to provide some or all of these services for you. They can also phone or send an email to let you know that all is well at your home. Click here for Ottawa Home Sitters

Turn off all taps to things such as dishwashers and clothes washers
Disconnect all electronic items (Note: only unplug the refrigerator if it is empty)
Advise your alarm company of your absence and provide a contact to call in an emergency
Advise neighbors and close friends of your absence
Arrange for Snow clearance in the winter
Arrange for yard maintenance in the growing seasons
Arrange for plant watering inside and out
Arrange for pool or hot tub maintenance if required
Provide an itinerary with phone numbers to neighbors or a house sitter to contact you with
Provide Insurance and any other emergency numbers to the person managing your home
Call Insurance company to confirm how often house must be checked inside to maintain insurance coverage.
Arrange with professional house sitter to watch over your house
Arrange to stop newspaper delivery
Arrange for mail pickup

Please feel free to email us with additional items at Email: contact@GCCIhome.com We will be pleased to add your items to our list.

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