Are you considering taking a job as a house sitter and wondering how safe you will feel? House sitting offers a unique opportunity to experience a new destination while also providing piece of mind to the homeowners. But safety wise? You definitely want to be prepared! Read on to learn more about safe house sitting practices to ensure your experience is pleasant, safe, and secure.
Do your research It’s vital to do your research before accepting a housesitting job. Make sure you ask questions about the safety of the neighborhood and any additional safety measures that are in place, such as security systems or cameras. I think it’s also very helpful to dig into the latest news of the area to see if there is anything you should be aware of.
Video chat with the homeowners before accepting It’s vital you get a sense of who the people are before you accept a house sit. Being able to video chat with homeowners enables you to get to know each other beforehand. Video chatting is a great way to see if you are comfortable with the homeowners, the house, and to really get a vibe of the situation.
Always practice travel smarts Even though you are staying in someone else’s house and not necessarily in a travel hotspot, it’s important you practice the same type of vigilance you would if you were in a “hotel row” type of vacation hotspot. The fact is, you probably don’t know the area you are in very well, and you should always be extra vigilant. Keep all valuable items away from view and keep your belongings secure.
Make sure you have an emergency plan Finally, create a plan of action for what to do and where to go in the event of an emergency. Knowing the plan ahead of time is key to making sure you stay safe in the event of an unexpected situation. Ask the homeowner for people you can call in case of an emergency in case you can't get ahold of them. Especially if you are travel house sitting in a foreign country, make sure you know all the key emergency numbers.
Knowing how to address safety concerns and having a plan of action to make sure you are safe and secure can go a long way in making sure you have a positive and successful experience. Keep in mind that only you know your own personal comfort level with safety issues and you should always trust your instincts when it comes to interacting in a new space and with unfamiliar people.
If you’re a house sitter or considering becoming one, share your tips or questions about safety in the comments below or connect with me on social media. I’d love to hear your experiences, stories, and advice on how to protect yourself while housesitting. To find out more about house sitting, check out my eBook and my YouTube.