Home Safety Tips For The Holidays (Part 1) - Ask The Expert with Greg Marcyniuk

Greg provides home safety tips in preparation for the holidays in the first segment of this two-part episode of Ask The Expert. 800 CHAB radio presents Ask the Expert with Greg Marcyniuk of Heritage Insurance located in Moose Jaw.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this episode, coming next week.

Here's a full transcript of this episode:

Rob Carnie: With Greg Marcyniuk at Heritage Insurance at downtown Moose Jaw. Greg, well, the holiday season is the happ, happ, happiest time of the year. It can also be marred now and then with break, enter and theft. And that's what we're here to talk about today, safeguarding ourselves and our homes from break-ins.

Greg Marcyniuk: That's correct, because unfortunately, thieves always look at the holiday season as an opportunity for them and not such a great opportunity for honest folks such as ourselves, Rob. So I just put together 26 different tips that you want to be prepared for come the holiday season. And the first and foremost is car doors should always be locked, even when you've got them parked at home. We're seeing things where people are rummaging through everything. Do not leave any valuable things in and exposed overnight in your vehicle. Put them in your trunk. Cover them up. People walk along and they see something there and they are going to go after it.

Rob: Out of sight, out of mind.

Greg: That's correct. The other thing is when unloading from your car, number one, don't leave your keys in the car. And it's best to close that up and lock it when you're hauling the stuff back and forth. We had one client that actually had his vehicle stolen when they were taking their actual groceries into their house. They came out, the car was gone. So again, unfortunately, these thieves are watching.

Keep your cars parked in a walled area when you're shopping. And when you are out shopping, again, keep those valuables hidden, even small ones. And do not let thieves know that you've bought anything after you've got the receipt from Christmas. Make sure you break down the trash. Put it in recycling because they see a big screen TV there, they see DVD, games, whatever it may be. That's just a, "Hey, there's a spot to go hit."

And again, don't let mail or papers stack if you're away. Make sure you have a neighbor come by and pick those out. And as well, make sure that your neighbor does try and keep your stuff cleaned or else hire someone to keep everything clean. And as well, put the lights on a timing system to the house so it looking to be occupied as well.

Never open your door to strangers. That goes without saying, and again, keep your home doors locked. A lot of times people may be downstairs or whatever. They leave the doors open. People will still — they are pretty brazen these days. And again, you should consider installing an alarm system. Again, that will save you money and it's the number one deterrent on thieves. And don't leave hidden keys outside. This happens time and time again. They either put it under a planter or they'll put it under a mat as well.

So these are 15 of the 26 tips, so we'll take care of this part two of the segment.

Rob: More on a future edition. Some useful and helpful hints as the Christmas season approaches.

It's Heritage Insurance in downtown Moose Jaw, Your SGI Canada broker.

(Video transcription by Speechpad)

Home Safety Tips For The Holidays (Part 1) - Ask The Expert with Greg Marcyniuk

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