Away with the family over March Break? Five tips to keep your home safe and secure

(NC)—March break is here and families across Canada are packing up for a vacation away. Whether you're spending a week in the sun, on the ski hill, or visiting family, you want to know that the house you've left behind for the week is safe, protected and will be in good shape upon your return.

“Many Canadian families plan to travel over March break and want to know their home will be just as they've left it after returning from a vacation away,” says Ian Pattinson, Vice President, Smart Home Monitoring, Rogers Communications. “There are some simple ways to ensure your home will be kept safe and new home security options to give you the ultimate peace of mind whether you choose to go away for a week, or all season long.”

Here are five steps you can follow to secure and prepare your home before your March Break getaway:

• Ensure all your doors and windows are securely locked: Check that all windows, doors, gates and garage doors are properly locked before you leave. Make sure to remove any spare keys from obvious hiding spots like doormats or flowerpots.

• Have someone regularly check in on your home: Arrange for a friend or neighbour to check up on your home every couple of days. Ask them to bring in your mail, shovel your driveway if needed and water your plants.

• Set your lights and thermostat, and regularly check up on your home through a home security and home automation system: Today's latest home security and home automation systems, like Rogers Smart Home Monitoring, do more than provide a simple alarm system. With Smart Home Monitoring, you can control heat levels, lights and small appliances, all from your smartphone or tablet. Real-time alerts are also sent to you via email or text message, so you can know the instant something happens to your home, from wherever you are.

• Practice energy savings: Automation of lighting, thermostats and small appliances may cut energy costs. Unplugging small appliances like your toaster and coffeemaker will save energy. Turning your heat down (no lower than 13°C) will prevent your water pipes from freezing.

• Make your home look occupied: Place your newspaper subscription on hold. Park a car in the driveway. Put light timers on your light fixtures.

Vacations should be stress free for the whole family, and knowing that our homes are safe will make for a more relaxing vacation. To learn about securing your home with Rogers Smart Home Monitoring, visit www.rogers.com/smart.

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