Are you headed to some fabulous destination this summer? Maybe you are counting down the days until your vacation begins. While most people focus on packing and confirming itineraries, few take time to fully prepare their homes for an extended absence. Sure, you ask a neighbor to bring in the mail but nothing will ruin that post-vacation state of relaxation like coming home to a major disaster – flood, damaged appliances or theft.
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Here are a few tips to keep your home safe while you’re away that may also save you money and aggravation when you get home. Before you disembark on your holiday, add these tasks to your to-do list: Put entry door lights on photocell timers; it keeps unwanted visitors away. For more info on photocells, see below.
Leave a dog dish by the front door to give impression of dog’s presence.
- Make sure all doors and windows are locked.
- Give police and/or security alarm company emergency contact information
- Don’t share your vacation plans on social media – makes your home an easy target.
- Tell a trusted neighbor of your plans and give contact information.
- If traveling outside the U.S., give copies of passports to friends or family and carry a copy with you at all times, locking your passport in the hotel safe.
- If leaving your pets in your home, place a sticker on your front door to tell emergency crews that there is a pet to be rescued and where they may hide.
- If traveling with your furry friends, be sure to pack their essentials: extra food, water, meds and toys. Never leave them unattended in a car in extreme temps.
- Shut off main water supply to the home; a burst pipe can cost you thousands.
- If you have a neighbor watering your landscape, only shut off toilet and washing machine water supply valves, to prevent major flooding.
- Unplug computers, TVs and video equipment. Power surges from bad storms can destroy devices even when turned off.
- Unplug toasters, irons, hair curlers etc. It is better to unplug them and be sure an electrical surge cannot create a fire hazard in these heat-generating appliances.
What’s a Photocell, you ask? No, it’s not a TMZ jailhouse photo of ill-behaved celebrities. It is an inexpensive device to bring added safety to your entry doors. Photocell adapters screw into your outdoor lights and lampposts. The sensor turns your lights on at dusk and off at dawn. You don’t have to remember to turn lights on and off and have them waste energy all day! For under $10 you can have added security and safety. Ask for them in the lighting department of your local home store.
My best travel preparation tip: make a computerized checklist of the essentials you routinely pack for travel; add the necessary home safety and security tasks. Use the checklist to keep organized and safely prepare your home for departure. Bon Voyage!
