Is Your Home Prepared for Vacation?

Going on vacation soon?  Make sure your home is vacation ready.

Here are some tips to use to get your home prepared for vacation.

Stop Your Newspaper and Mail

Piled up newspapers are a definite sign that you’re not home.  We actually had a client’s home almost broken in to because they didn’t pick their newspaper up in the morning before they left for work. So take a little walk to the curb, grab that paper and put it in the house before you leave. And if you are going on vacation, put a hold on your paper or have a neighbor pick it up for you each day.

Park Your Car in the Garage

Park your car in the garage, so that it is not as noticeable that it is not being moved every day.  Your car can become a prime target if someone is watching your home and notice that it has not been moved from its parking spot in several days.

Put a Light on a Timer

Buying a timer for inside lights is a definite help when you are out of town.  If your home is the only one dark in the evening, it gives off the message you’re gone.

Mow Your Lawn

Mow your grass before you leave for vacation and if you might be gone for more than week, set up with
a service to mow it. Or ask your friendly neighbor that is reading your newspaper to give your lawn a once over 🙂

Other things to think about before you leave to keep small things from becoming a major thing:

Unplug Small Appliances and Electronics

Think about unplugging all your small appliances.  I know it sounds like a pain, but the truth is they are eating up energy while you are gone and not even using them.  Also make sure that your smoke alarms are working.

Turn Down the Thermostat

I’m pretty sure that most of homeowners think of this one.  Make sure always turn your thermostat up in the summer and down in the winter.  Keep the temperature at an appropriate temperature to keep pipes from freezing or overheating of the home to harm pets or plants.

Put the Water Heater in Vacation Mode

Check your water heater to see if it has a vacation mode.  If it does not then turn the water heater down so that it is not heating water that is not being used.

Tidy Up the Kitchen

Dispose of perishable foods in the fridge as well as fruit or vegetables left out on the counter. That way you don’t have to come home to unpleasant smells and bugs.  Take the trash out right before you leave to alleviate any build up of odors from the garbage.  And remember the neighbor that is reading your papers, ask them if they don’t mind taking your trash bins to the curb on garbage day.

Leave Emergency Contact Info with Neighbors

You may tell your family that you’re heading out, but you should also let a neighbor know. Neighbors live near you and can be your first point of contact should something happen to your home while you’re away. Let a trusted neighbor know you’re going to be out of town — provide them with information on where you’re going, how long you’ll be gone, and contact information for yourself and for family members in case of an emergency.

Now that you have prepared your home for vacation, you can go and enjoy!

Happy Vacation