If you are a snowbird heading south for the winter, there are several key things you can do to help protect your vacant home. Taking these steps can help protect your home from theft, water damage, heating or electrical system malfunctions and other possible threats while you are away for an extended period of time.

Download the Preparing Your Vacant Home Checklist PDF >>

1. Prevent Your Home From Appearing Unoccupied

• Forward your mail, stop newspaper delivery, and ask a friend to pick up items that may be left at your door.
• Arrange for someone to remove snow after storms.
• Put motion-sensitive exterior lights and interior lights on timers and set them to come on at varying times to discourage prowlers. 

Even the thought of climbing a ladder can be scary for some people. The potential for falls and serious injury is enough for many homeowners to leave the gutter cleaning and holiday decorating to the pros. But if you're a do-it-yourselfer, or you have to reach a high cabinet or replace a bulb in a ceiling fixture, you're probably going to use a ladder.

Falls are the third leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths and the top cause of nonfatal injuries, according to Injury Facts. In 2017, 36,338 people died from falls at home or at work.

Choose the Right Ladder

Using the wrong ladder can be dangerous. Think about the task at hand, choose the right size and style, and be sure to follow the directions on the ladder before you climb.

Consider these aspects of the job:

• How high do you need to reach? 
• How much weight will the ladder need to hold? 
• What is the environment in which the ladder will be used? Are there any electrical lines overhead?

The American Ladder Institute can help you choose the right ladder for the job.

While spring is a common time for many homeowners to spend some extra attention on upkeep and maintenance, autumn is just as critical a season for preparing your home to withstand the potentially harsh winter weather and temperature conditions that may await you. By making maintenance part of your annual fall routine you can identify potential problems before they arise, and help prepare your home and property for what Mother Nature has to offer.

Following are some home maintenance tips from our Risk Control professionals to help you prepare for the coming winter: