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Post date: August 6, 2021 9:00 AM - TWO YEARS AGO TODAY!
A Guide to Prepare Your Home Before Going on Vacation
Vacations are a fun and relaxing opportunity to get away from the monotony of everyday life. This checklist will assist you in preparing your home before you go so that you may enjoy your trip as much as possible without thinking too much about home.
As you read through the list, you will see that some items can be done long before you are dashing around finishing off all the little jobs you meant to do before you go, and some on the list are definitely last to complete.
This checklist is divided into four parts:
Inform appropriate authorities
Making your home look occupied
Preparing the inside
Preparing the outside
Inform Appropriate Authorities
Inform your credit card company if you will be out of state
Notify your home security company if your home is monitored. Ask them for any specific advice they give to vacationers
If your local police or sheriff's department has a vacation patrol service, inform them
If you live in a community with a neighborhood patrol plan, inform the head of admin
Leave emergency contact details with a friend or neighbor, and inform your law enforcement agency
If you normally keep a spare key outside, take it in
If you are expecting a FedEx or UPS delivery, ask for the item to be held at the depot for personal collection
Making Your Home Look Occupied
Thieves are more likely to ignore a home that looks occupied.
Stop newspaper and mail deliveries. If people deliver freebie papers or hang notices on front doors where you live, ask a friend or neighbor to check and remove them
Ask your neighbor to park in your driveway occasionally, so it looks like you have visitors
If you have a 'smart home system,' check it all out, so you know everything you have installed is functioning as it should
If you do not have a smart home system, put some lights (and radio if you want) on timers, so it looks and sounds like someone is home in the evening. Many shop-bought timers can be programmed, so lights come on at different times, rather than always at the same time each day
Install motion detectors for outside lighting, or just check that your detectors are working properly
Preparing the Inside
If you haven't already done so, photograph everything. If there is a catastrophe while you are away, you want to be able to report everything lost or damaged to your insurance company. Your insurance agent will be able to advise you on what pics to take, what to emphasize, etc
If you are leaving important documents at home, file them in a fire-resistant container, and put them out of the way
Check your smoke detectors, just in case of fire
Clean out the refrigerator of anything which may rot or smell. Either eat it, take it with you, freeze it or toss it
Add some dishes of ice to the fridge. Full refrigerators use less electricity than empty ones
Check the oven to make sure it is clean and there is no food left in it
Check the washing machine and dryer, so you don't leave unwashed or damp clothes inside
Decide what to do with houseplants, so they will be healthy on your return
Unplug unnecessary appliances and electronic devices, so they won't use electricity and won't risk overheating
Set the thermostat to a temperature that will reduce electricity use
Either turn off your water at the main inlet and turn off your water heater, or lower the temperature setting on the water heater, so it doesn't heat the water unnecessarily
If you leave the water inlet to your home on, turn off the feeds to the dishwasher, washing machine, and all sinks and toilets just to avoid a flood if a pipe fails
If you will be away on a long vacation, consider covering your toilet bowls to prevent odors
Take out the trash
Move valuables out of view
Run your waste disposal unit just before you leave to make sure there is no food in it. Add baking soda and vinegar or some other materials to prevent any bad odors
If you have an open fire, close the flue to prevent birds, bats, or insects from getting in
Clean your home, so when you return, it looks and feels welcoming
Double-check all doors and windows are closed and locked
Leave curtains and blinds as you normally do. (You may want to check with your insurance company and take their advice on this topic.)
Preparing the Outside
Mow lawns, trim shrubbery, pull weeds, etc
Sweep the driveway, etc. if there are leaves, pieces of paper that have blown on, etc
If you have a neighbor or friend who will check on things for you, ask them to notice if any detritus has appeared and to remove it
Check outside lights and motion detectors are working correctly
Make your vacation worry-free by following this list. In addition, you may want to ask your local law enforcement officials and your insurance agent if they can suggest anything that is specific to your neighborhood. Good luck, and happy vacation!
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