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March Break 2015: What homeowners should check before a vacation

March Break 2015: What homeowners should check before a vacation

After months of storms, more storms and a little ice, many people are looking to escape winter — but what about when you get home?

Here are a few steps homeowners can take — before a trip — to make sure the return from vacation isn't harsher than it needs to be:

1. Know your insurance policy

Most home insurance policies stipulate a house can't be empty for a certain period of time — and that can be between 48 hours and a few days.

"There's going to be requirements on your policy to have someone come in and look in on the property or other action you need to take," said Gina McFetridge of the Insurance Brokers Association of Nova Scotia.

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Leaving a home unattended can be an expensive mistake.

"There's a very good chance that if a pipe bursts in the home and you have extensive water damage, that that claim may be denied by their insurance company," she said.

Unexpected situations such as first-time flooding are part of the reason the association recommends contacting your broker if you're leaving town longer than a weekend to find out exactly what you need to do.

2. Keep the heat on

Insurance companies refer to the winter as the "heating season." Cold winds and low temperatures leave homes vulnerable. Ensuring a home stays warn can prevent pipes from freezing.

McFetridge said frozen pipes are one of the major issues behind claims.

"Maybe they run out of oil so their house gets cold and a pipe bursts, or just because of the extreme temperature a pipe even in a heated home can burst if it's not properly insulated or its on an outside wall," said McFetridge.

Shaun Keyes, the president of Keys Insurance, said he's seen freezing problems as late as April, so spring break may still mean something different when it comes to pipes.

People leaving their properties for a long period of time may want to consider turning off the water and draining the pipes. Installing a heat monitoring system may get around the requirement to have someone physically inside a home.

3. Clear the ice

McFetridge said with the wide range of weather this winter, some companies are processing the number of claims they usually see in a week, on a daily basis. To avoid having to file one, she recommends people clear as much snow away as they can.

"Watch your roof and if you have a rake or you can hire an individual to clear off snow, anything higher than a foot of snow poses a serious risk," she said.

"You want to make sure that your gutters are clear so the water as it melts on the roof flows away from your home, and not inside your home."

She also said regular maintenance, such as clearing branches, can prevent damage caused by high winds.

4. Make sure your contacts are reachable

Home security systems may detect floods or flag problems such as frozen pipes, but they require someone with a key to deal with the problem.

Tom Redford, of Wilsons Security, said people should check that their emergency contacts are up-to-date — and accessible — so the station can get in touch with someone who can get into the home.

That means not listing your travel buddies.

"If it's a pipe burst, as an example, they'd be able to turn the water off," he said. "If it was ice and snow melting they could contact a contractor to come in and make repairs to stop the water."

Redford says this time of year, with more sunlight and warmer temperatures, his company is seeing many cases where roofs and foundations start leaking. The faster someone gets in to deal with the damage, the better.

5. Don't let the whole neighbourhood know

Halifax Regional Police Const. Dianne Woodworth said it's key to have family or friends keep an eye on a property for safety reasons as well.

Ensuring a driveway is plowed and someone is clearing walkways and picking up mail can prevent the house from looking empty. Installing security lights to switch on at night can also make a property look occupied, while you're enjoy an escape.