Reduce travel stress by keeping your home safe while you're away

COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Imagine coming home from your dream vacation only to find out your washing machine has been leaking for days, or that a storm caused a tree limb to break through the bedroom window.

As homeowners are preparing themselves for vacation, they may be forgetting one important step -- preparing their homes to be unoccupied.

"A home and all of the memories in it is the single largest investment people make," said Bill Windsor, Nationwide's vice president of safety. "You need to take extra precautions when you're leaving for several days or more."

The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), a national nonprofit organization funded by the insurance industry, including Nationwide Insurance, offers these tips to help you prepare your home:

    * Adjust the thermostat -- High temperatures and humidity can damage
      furniture and other items. To control the climate in your home, set
      the thermostat to no higher than 85 degrees.

    * Protect plumbing -- If you're leaving for an extended period, consider
      shutting off the water, and draining all water lines; have a
      professional plumber help. If you won't be gone long, or you decide to
      leave the water service turned on, take additional steps including
      turning off the water supply to appliances such as the washing
      machine, and toilets and sinks.

    * Plan for high wind -- Protect your home from severe weather. Trim dead
      limbs from trees and shrubbery, and store outdoor furniture and other
      items indoors. Make sure all doors, windows and vents are closed and
      locked to keep out wind and rain.

    * Make your home looked lived in -- Deter thieves and vandals by making
      your home appear occupied. Stop newspaper and mail delivery, use
      timers on indoor and outdoor lights, install tapered deadbolt locks on
      doors, and have someone mow the lawn.

"A few simple steps such as these don't take a lot of time or effort and are well worth it," said Wendy Rose of IBHS. "Whether you're gone for a few days or a few weeks, it's important to take the time before you leave to make sure your house is in order."

For more information on how to protect your home while you're away, check out IBHS' "Is Your Home Alone?," a guide to help people close up their homes. The guide is available on the Maintenance Matters section of the IBHS website at http://www.disastersafety.org/, or a free, single copy can be requested from the site or by calling 1 (866) 657-IBHS (4247).

Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the world, with more than $160 billion in assets. Nationwide ranks #104 on the Fortune 500 list. The company provides a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life, commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions and long-term savings plans. For more information, visit http://www.nationwide.com/.

Nationwide, the Nationwide Framemark and On Your Side are federally registered service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.

Source: Nationwide

CONTACT: Bill Teets of Nationwide, ,

Web site: http://www.nationwide.com/
http://www.disastersafety.org/