Temperatures are on the rise, and many of us have a summer vacation on the books. Out of town adventures require time to pack and plan, but in the whirlwind don’t forget about what you’re leaving behind. With some preparation, you can protect your home while you’re away.
Make your home look lived in -Whether you’ll be gone a week or a month, take the time to do the following:
- Leave a light on. Security lighting on timers do a better job of convincing potential intruders that someone is home.
- Stop the mail. In addition, have a neighbor keep an eye out for local circulars and deliveries you’re not expecting.
- Mow the lawn. If you’ll be gone long enough, hire a service to keep up the yard while you’re away.
Avoid added expense -Vacation is already costly. Coming back to a home improvement emergency or large utility bill won’t help matters.
- Shut off your water at the main valve unless household appliances or irrigation systems require it to remain on. Also place your water heater on vacation mode.
- Test smoke detectors before leaving to be sure they’re in good working order.
- Unplug small appliances and electronic devices that won’t be in use during your absence.
- Turn up your thermostats to keep air conditioning-related electricity costs down.
Beef up security -Don’t forget about the physical security of your home.
- Lock it up. It’s always best to do one final check of all windows and doors before departing. This includes gates and exterior buildings, like sheds and other storage areas.
- Leave your contact info with a trusted neighbor who can alert you if need be.
- Notify your security company that you’ll be away.
When you follow these tips, you can leave town with peace of mind. Then you can do what vacations are made for – relax.