14 Ways To Protect Your Home When Going On A Vacation
Whenever you have to leave for a trip or a vacation, you don’t want to be worrying about your home. To make sure nothing bad happens, below are 14 ways you can protect your home while you're away.
Put your kitchen in order
Before leaving, it’s a good idea to clean out the refrigerator. If anything is due to expire while you are gone, throw it out. Remember to empty trash cans, too.
Put dry goods such as cereals, pasta, nuts and other foods in containers that are airtight, if possible. Wash, dry, and put away all dishes.
Clean your house
Put away stray items and vacuum. Toss any fresh flowers or other things that will spoil. Also, change the bedding as well as your linens. When you return home, you'll find these little things amazingly comforting.
3. Do your laundry
It is not a good idea to come back to piles of old laundry after your vacation. Moreover, clothes, soiled towels and sheets can get smelly and mildewed if left unattended for a long time. So, better to have it washed before leaving.
Water the plants
Give your plants a good watering to ensure that they won’t dry out while you’re gone for the weekend. If you’re going to be gone longer, get an automatic waterer or ask either your neighbor or friend to water your plants.
Spray some insecticide
This is to make sure no bugs will be creeping all over your home while you're gone. In spraying insecticides, make sure to focus on key areas.
Check your appliances
Go through your home room by room and make sure all your appliances are turned off. Unplug the television, computers and gaming system. If they are on a surge strip, you can turn it off at the switch itself or unplug from the wall socket.
Stop newspaper delivery & arrange to have your mail picked up or held
Newspapers in your drive and mail stacking up in your mailbox are clear signs that you’re not home. Have a friend or neighbor pick up your newspapers and mail each day or have the post office hold it for you.
Put lights on a timer
Nothing tells would-be burglars that you’re not at home faster than a home that is completely dark. Light timers are available for a small fee and can turn off and on lamps for you.
Turn off the thermostat
If your home will be empty including pets, turn off your HVAC unless there’s a chance of freeze. If so, set it to 55 degrees. This will maximize energy savings.
Close the curtains and blinds
Closing blinds and curtains can also save energy and is a good way to prevent people from looking in and seeing what you’ve got inside your home.
Check faucets, fixtures and pipes
Who wants to go on vacation only to be faced with the need for water damage restoration? Be sure to inspect all faucets, pipes and fixtures to ensure that there are no leaks. You can also turn off the water supply for extra insurance. Just don’t forget it when you come back!
Close your garage door and lock it
Burglars are often able to get access to the rest of your house through your garage. Close the garage door and lock it from the inside.
See Also: 7 Common Mistakes Making Your Home Prone to Burglary
Check to make sure all doors and windows are locked
It’s estimated that 30% of all home burglaries occur because someone forgot to lock a window or a door. Be sure to check the windows and doors in each room of your home before leaving. Aso, make sure you don't have any valuables in sight.
Neighbors or friends should have the required info they need
If they are going to look after your house while you are away, make sure they have the keys to everything, including your phone numbers (or alternative numbers) to reach you if there's an emergency situation.
Even for small trips, make each of these steps part of your routine. You will feel much safer and you'll have peace of mind knowing that you did the necessary steps to protect your home.
