Florida Association of Realtors

Contact:

Jeff Zipper, Vice President of Communications
407/438-1400, ext. 2314
JeffZ@far.org

Marla Martin, Communications Manager
407/438-1400, ext. 2326
MarlaM@far.org

Protect Your Home While You Travel, Says Florida Association of Realtors®

ORLANDO, Fla., March 15, 2004 -- Is spring fever prompting you to head for the beaches or some other vacation getaway? If you’re planning to travel during the spring holidays, you can help protect your home while you’re away by following these tips from the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR):

• Make it look like you are at home. Install timers on interior lights so they will turn on and off periodically. Many timers cost less than $25. Some more costly products are capable of varying the time that your lights turn on. Also consider leaving your radio on and tuned in to an all-news or talk-show station.

• Disconnect and remove all exterior electrical decorations before you leave to reduce the chance of fire and theft. Install exterior lights that are controlled by motion sensors to make your home a more difficult target for prowlers.

• Discontinue your newspaper delivery temporarily. Be sure to give several days notice so your order can be processed in time.

• Ask someone to collect any free papers or sales materials left near your house. When fliers and papers are left on a driveway day after day, it's a sure sign that no one is home.

• Have the post office hold your mail. This can be initiated by calling the U.S. Postal Service at 1-800-275-8777 and listening to the option for putting a vacation hold on your mail. You can make arrangements up to 30 days in advance of your vacation; at minimum, two days will be needed to process your request. Or go to the Postal Service Web site at https://dunsapp.usps.gov/HoldMail.jsp and follow the instructions.

• Ask a friend or neighbor to park a car in your driveway occasionally and to keep an eye on your place. If your neighborhood is patrolled by police, give the police your schedule so they’ll watch for suspicious activity; if there’s a crime-watch program, notify the person in charge of your travel plans.

• If you have an alarm that is monitored, tell the alarm company you will be away. If possible, provide a phone number at which you can be reached.

• If you’re going to be away for two weeks or more, have a friend or lawn service mow the lawn.

Before traveling for spring break, take these simple steps to help protect your property.

The Florida Association of Realtors (FAR), the voice for real estate in Florida, provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 100,000 members in 70 boards/associations.

Click here for a downloadable file:
[poster] [flyer]