×
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Ensuring the safety of your house

Being Careful
Last Updated 14 April 2011, 12:04 IST
ADVERTISEMENT

This year too, many families have already planned to go on long trips. But with houses being empty and windows kept open due to the high temperature, summer is the peak season for burglaries.

So if you are planning to go on a long expedition, it’s better you take some precautions to save your home from break-ins, flooding and fire mishaps due to short circuits. The most obvious thing to do is to check a week in advance whether the locks of the doors and windows are working properly so that there is no unnecessary tension at the last minute.

Before departing, double check on every window and door including those in the bathrooms, basement and garage. Use heavy window curtains to avoid an interior view of the house from outside. To make the house look occupied, avoid your mailbox from overflowing and put a hold on newspapers and magazines.

“Whenever I go out of the town for long trips, I ask one of my friends to stop by at my place once in two or three days to pick up mails if any. I also request my neighbours to keep an eye on the house. Any person wandering near our gate is enquired by them. I also keep calling them every now and then to check up.

While coming back, I bring sweets for them without fail for their kind help. Whenever they go on trips, I also help them in the same way,” says Ranjeet Singh Manhas, a government employee.

Some people make the mistake of announcing their travel plans on social networking sites and share unwanted details on a large platform in an excitement to go out.

“Nowadays, it has become a fashion for people to post about their activities on the Net. This practice is not safe. Also, you should not say on the answering machine of the phone that you are on vacation. And it’s safer to not leave valuables and important documents in the house when you are away. You can deposit them in the bank instead,” says Ajay, an entrepreneur.

To avoid fire mishaps, one should unplug all the electric appliances. And for more safety, one can invest on motion-sensor outdoor lights. It’s also important to turn off all faucets and fix any leakages prior to travel. And all the containers with water should be emptied to prevent water stagnation.

If all these points are followed before travelling, you can enjoy your vacation in peace and return to a well-kept home. Otherwise it may turn out to be a haunting memory forever.

ADVERTISEMENT
(Published 14 April 2011, 12:03 IST)

Follow us on

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT