Home for the Holidays

Home for the Holidays

The eggnog is flowing, the seasonal tunes are on every radio station, and Rudolph is dashing across television screens worldwide.

The Holidays look different for every household. Yet, no matter how you celebrate, this time of year is busy, bustling, and distracting.

It’s normal to be excited this time of year with all the Christmas decorating, shopping for gifts, and enjoying the fruits of the season, but there are still some things to keep in mind to ensure the safety of your loved ones this time of year.

The safety of our clients is critical for the team at Waypoint, so we’ve put together some handy tips for the holiday season.

Install a Security Camera

Cameras are more accessible than ever. Whether it’s Amazon or the hardware store, you’ll find budget-friendly and discreet security cameras that will help you keep an eye on who’s knocking on the door.

Practice Safe Online Shopping

Online shipping is a convenience unlike any other, especially as we head into the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, it’s important to be mindful of our online shopping habits:

• Be sure that the site address reads “HTTPS” instead of “HTTP.” This term means the site is secure.
• Be aware of any popups or suspicious emails that ask for banking or credit card information. These messages will usually contain offers or verbiage that inspire fear, guilt, or a “too good to be true” feeling.
• Keep an eye on your credit card and banking accounts. Log in frequently to ensure all charges match up with your activity. If you see anything suspicious, contact your provider right away.
• When purchasing a product, be sure you are on the right website. Look out for spelling errors or images that don’t match the product description.

Lock Windows and Doors

Whether you’re turning in for the night for a long winter’s nap or going to a holiday get-together, be sure all of your entrances are secure. Lock your front and back doors, and make sure that all windows are shut, locked, and covered.

It’s always a good idea to leave a central lamp on to give the illusion that someone is awake or home.

Christmas Tree Caution

• If you have a Christmas tree, be sure to exercise caution, whether it’s artificial or natural.
• Keep your tree away from active fireplaces or wood stoves, heated baseboards, and light fixtures.
• If your tree is natural, be sure to have a sustained water source. Choose the freshest tree you can to avoid it drying out prematurely.
• If your tree is artificial, ensure it is flame resistant, especially if it has a built-in light set.
• For both artificial and natural trees, make sure they’re firmly upright. Use high-quality, energy-efficient lights and turn them off before going to sleep or leaving the house. As well, don’t load up your extension cords with lights. Use a maximum of three strings of light per extension cord, and never run the cords under the rug or carpet.

Travelling? Mum’s the Word

When travelling, use discretion on social media. It’s normal to want to update your friends and family on your whereabouts and post photos of family fun, but it’s easy for the wrong eyes to land on your posts.

To mitigate the risk of burglary while away, here are a few social media tips for travellers:

• Post minimally while away and avoid tagging your location or indicating that you’ve left your home.
• Set social media accounts to private and consider doing a “clean sweep” of followers whom you no longer interact with.
• Save photo posts for when you return.
• If you want to share photos with family, create a group chat via text with trusted family members and share photos that way.

Keep Car Safety in Mind

It’s normal to schedule days solely dedicated to your gift list, be it local shopping or a little day trip.

In the hustle and bustle of shopping, it’s easy to become tired and distracted. Unlocked cars are a significant risk while going from store to store, and a backseat full of gifts can be too much for a would-be thief to resist.

When out and about, be sure to securely lock your car. Put gifts in your trunk or bring a dark-coloured blanket to cover up your items, especially if you’ll be in each store for a significant amount of time.

Consider Travel and Liability Coverage

Having homeowner’s or tenant’s liability coverage is key during the holidays.

Icy walkways and snow-filled driveways are risks to your visitors. Liability coverage protects those who don’t live in your home from accidental damage that occurs on your property. If they file a claim with their insurer for damages from an accident on your property, you’ll be covered for legal and settlement costs.

Travel coverage is critical while travelling, especially outside of Canada. Travel coverage protects against costs from lost luggage, flight cancellations, and other unexpected travel risks.

Happy holidays from Waypoint Insurance!

The Waypoint team wishes you the best for 2022 and hope you and your family have a safe and fun holiday season!