Tuesday, May 29, 2018 6:36 am, Posted by Absolute Destruction
Summertime vacation is the best time of year: no commute, no clocking in, and time to kick back and relax somewhere new. But leaving your home alone for an extended period can cause anxiety, especially if it’s been awhile since you’ve taken care of privacy-related housekeeping. It’s important to take time to prep your house or apartment for your upcoming absence. You might not be able to 100% safeguard your home against a break-in, but there are ways to lower your risk and to better protect your personal information.
All year round, it’s a wise practice to keep your paper filing system, unused electronics, and storage drives in proper order. Current paper files should be kept to a minimum and protected in a locked filing cabinet. Old files should be safely shredded and properly recycled. Similarly, old electronics and storage devices that you have lying around can be accessed by intruders. Even if you think you’ve formatted them, it is possible to retrieve info from a supposedly wiped disk or drive. If you live in the GTA or surrounding areas, the experts at Absolute Destruction & Recycling can help with shredding papers and crushing electronic devices and disks so the information cannot be accessed again.
If you have a neighbour you can trust, it’s a good idea to let them know you’ll be away and to ask if they can keep an eye on the place and visit a few times. Packages and mail piling up, an unmoved sprinkler, and an empty dark house every night are clear signs no one is home. Offer to return the favour when they’re gone. If you’re not good pals with your neighbours, ask family and friends. Your friends and neighbours might not be available every night, so it’s quick and easy to install timers on your lights, TV, or stereo, and schedule them to click on and off. This will create the illusion of presence that you can either pre-set or control from your mobile phone.
Ask those checking on your house to take out the trash and recycling. Empty your trash cans into the receptacles outside to make it easier on them and to avoid the garbage smell from building-up. Never throw out items with personal information on them. At Absolute Destruction we offer a recycling program so your documents, scrap papers, and technology can be thoroughly destroyed and recycled, reducing waste in landfills and preventing e-waste from leaking into the ecosystem. You may contact us to learn more any time.
Although it’s incredibly tempting, posting your vacation photos while you’re away is risky. You’re broadcasting to a lot of people—some of whom are mere acquaintances or even strangers—that you’re away for awhile. Save announcing trips, and posting videos, photos, and updates until after you’ve returned.
Ease your mind even further with these tips about unplugging while away. Precious items like spare keys, jewellery, and current tax files can be kept in a fireproof lockbox.
These simple tips will help keep you safe and allow you to fully relax while you’re gone. And remember to securely dispose of materials containing any personal information all year round!