| Almost every summer we read of some | | | | and off at irregular intervals to simulate normal |
| disasters that occur across Australia, especially | | | | family activity. |
| bushfires and floods. We also read about people | | | | During summer, electricity shortages or |
| who find themselves either uninsured or | | | | blackouts are more common so make sure your |
| underinsured or who simply haven't kept their | | | | refrigerators and freezers are emptied and stored |
| home and contents insurance policies | | | | at a neighbours or family member's house during |
| up-to-date. It is a tragedy waiting to happen | | | | your absence. This way you won't suffer from |
| every year and it is surprising to find how many | | | | food spoilage or an otherwise expensive insurance |
| people do not prepare themselves for a safe | | | | claim. |
| summer. | | | | Cancel newspaper and mail deliveries during |
| History has a habit of repeating itself when it | | | | periods of your absence if you can't get someone |
| comes to natural disasters, but most people | | | | to collect them for you. Overflowing letterboxes |
| never expect it to happen to them. | | | | are a tell-tale sign for burglars and you could be |
| Unfortunately, many people find out the hard way | | | | wide open to an unwanted invasion. |
| and although we see reminders of this for | | | | Summer storms are common so make sure |
| ourselves every year in the newspapers it is a | | | | any items stored in the yard or on your veranda |
| tragedy that we do little about it. | | | | are stowed away so they don't become missiles |
| As we approach the next summer season why | | | | during periods of high wind. |
| not take some time out now to plan for a safe | | | | Tell your neighbours if you are going away |
| summer? It doesn't take much effort or | | | | for even a short break so they can keep an eye |
| expense to protect yourself from mother nature | | | | out for unusual visitors. Many burglary attempts |
| or the fear of burglary. | | | | can be stymied this way, said this was a vigilance |
| Here are some tips you can follow to prepare | | | | of friends and neighbours. |
| yourself for next summer. | | | | Have your house wiring checked by a |
| Many Australians plan holidays during the | | | | qualified electrician to make sure there is no |
| summer months so it's a good idea to make sure | | | | possibility of electrical fires being started. This is |
| you have your home ready for your absence. | | | | particularly important during electrical storms, and |
| Make sure you ask a neighbour or family member | | | | this simple precautionary measure can save you a |
| to keep a nine your house while you are away | | | | lot of heartache. |
| and pick up your mail. Make sure you keep any | | | | Although these tips are not meant to be an |
| bushes or trees trimmed so that your house is | | | | exhaustive list, they should stimulate your thinking |
| easily viewed from the street. Also, use timers | | | | about safety and alert you to some obvious |
| to turn your lights, radios and television sets on | | | | solutions you can implement quite easily. |