20 Ways to Keep Your Possessions Secure

With our busy modern lives, it’s natural that we can get a little careless with our valuables, or put off a project to properly secure our homes or automobiles. Being just a little bit mindful can pay off in the long run. Here are some ideas on how to keep your valuable possessions safe and secure.

Tips for Home

• Consider a safe deposit box for your true valuables.
• Avoid hiding valuable items you keep at home in typical spots, such as under the mattress.
• Don’t leave spare keys under the doormat, in the mailbox, or behind the potted plants. Thieves know where to look.
• Even if you’re just running across the street for a few minutes, always lock your doors.
• Consider a home alarm system for maximum security, and installing a peephole in your front door for added peace-of-mind.
• When leaving the house for a vacation or you won’t be home for several days, plan ahead.
  • Have a trusted neighbor collect your mail and take care of your garbage cans if they’re out on the curb. During winter, ask the neighbor and/or compensate them to clear accumulating snow from your driveway and walkways, a sure sign that nobody is home.
  • Consider setting some lights on a timer to give the appearance that the house is occupied.
  • During the heating season, have a friend or relative check your home, inside and out, to make sure there are no problems and that the heating system is functioning. Check with your insurance company to find out how often these checks are required if you’re away from your home for more than a couple of days.
• Secure sliding doors with a metal bar along the track, making them impossible to be pried or forced open from the outside.
• Make use of motion-sensor lighting on the exterior.
• Insist on new locks when moving into a new home.

Tips for the Car

• Resist the urge to “pre-heat” your car in the winter. Every year there are stories of cars being stolen right out of peoples’ driveways. A few weeks back, five vehicles were stolen on the same morning in Southern Ontario.
• Before purchasing a vehicle, check the IBC’s list of Top 10 Most Stolen Automobiles in Canada. Your choice of car will also affect your insurance premium, so keep that in mind when looking.
• Ensure you don’t leave valuables in the car, where they’re visible, and prime for ‘smash-and-grab’ robberies. Instead, keep them locked in the trunk.
• If parking on the street, choose well-lit, trafficked areas whenever possible.
• Familiarize yourself with the features of your car’s alarm system, if applicable.

Insuarance Tips

• Take an inventory of valuables each year to ensure your policy is updated to cover your current situation.
• Consider tenant’s insurance if you are currently renting. It can be a cost-effective way to cover your possessions in the event of theft or damage to the unit.
• Always be aware of exactly what your policy covers. If you’re not positive, keep an open line of communication with your insurance broker and don’t be afraid to check in with them when you have questions.