We came across the infographic below from the York Regional Police here in Ontario and we thought it was a good reminder to all of us home owners (or tenants for that matter currently renting a house). We certainly want to do what we can to ensure that our home is not a magnet for thieves.

It is traumatizing to be robbed. Your home can be trashed. You may lose valuable possessions or cash. You may find irreplaceable items with great sentimental value gone. To top it all off, you have to make a home insurance claim, carefully accounting for all that was lost, assigning values, providing other specific details –stress that you don’t want to deal with if at all possible. And of course we have to mention, as soon as a claim is made, there are repercussions for your home insurance rates. An all around headache.

So take the steps to protect yourself, as suggested by the YRP and be sure to visit yrp.ca/tips to learn more about how you can ensure the security and safety of your home. Their tips in a nutshell:

• Keep your windows locked. Check to make sure all your windows are shut before leaving. Your doors too of course including your garage!
• Keep your garden tidy. If you have large shrubbery that hides views to doors and windows, this can make it easier for a thief to find their way into your home without any of your neighbours noticing.
• Think about getting a home security system (including an alarm and perhaps even cameras).
• Lighting systems can act as a deterrent. Think motion sensor lights and lights that go on and off with a timer.
• If you’re going away for an extended period, ensure that someone is caring for your home in the meantime (e.g. picking up your mail or shoveling your walk – a pile of newspapers or snow piled up on the doorstop scream that no one is at home) and checking in from time to time. And don’t post your vacay plans to social media!

Leverage these tips for greater security whether you’re just heading out to run errands or are leaving on a vacation – getting robbed sucks. You can check out even more tips for burglary prevention here.

Of course, it is for this very reason that you have a home insurance policy – to protect yourself against the unforeseeable and the unexpected. But you can still do everything possible to ensure that your home is not enticing thieves.

Want to talk to us about home insurance plans and options? Contact us or get your quote online.