If you’re planning to go on vacation, you probably have a list of worries. What will you do if something dangerous happens in the state or country you’re visiting? What if you forget to pick up extra medication, your passport, or necessary travel documents? What if your flight is delayed? There are a million worries running through your head, but have you thought about squatters in your home?
Squatters take advantage of empty houses and settle in, causing you heartache and court costs to remove them. Squatters can also seriously damage your home, like in the 2016 case where a homeowner was left with thousands of dollars’ worth of damage. The crime scene cleanup professionals at ServiceMaster Professional Cleaning and Restoration have seen cases like this before and we want to help you avoid being the next victim. Check out our top tips for protecting your Newtown Square, PA, home while you’re on vacation!
Tell Your Neighbors
Before you leave, let your neighbors know when you will leave and when you will return. Also let them know if you have a house sitter lined up or anyone else coming by to check things out. That way your neighbors will know to be on the lookout of anything suspicious and notify the authorities if they see anything shady going on.
Use Light Timers
One way to protect your home when you’re away is to make it look like it’s occupied. Use light timers in your home to make it look like someone is there in the evenings. There’re also mobile apps you can use to control your home’s lighting from distant locations!
Lock All Your Doors and Windows
Don’t give squatters an available point of entry. Make sure to lock every door and window, even if you think something is too high up to be reachable. Also consider investing in an alarm system to prevent anyone from breaking in.
Hire a Company to Watch Your Property
Consider hiring a housesitting company to watch your home while you’re away. They’ll make it look occupied, watch for suspicious activity, and make sure everything is secure. While this option is more expensive than the others we’ve listed, it’s certainly worth avoiding the cost of crime scene cleanup.
Finding Expert Crime Scene Cleanup
If your home becomes the scene of a crime or accident, contact ServiceMaster Professional Cleaning and Restoration of Newtown Square, PA, for reliable crime scene cleanup assistance. We’re compassionate, thorough, and quick, so you can get your home back to its pre-loss condition sooner. Visit us here or call us at (610) 524-8003 for immediate assistance.