Before leaving on a well-deserved vacation, there are a few things that you should do around your home to keep it safe while you’re gone. You’ll have more peace of mind, a more enjoyable time and relax better when you know you have everything in order. Here are nine things to do before packing your bags for a vacation.
Check Your Plumbing System
Leaks, faulty toilets, or clogged drains are unpleasant to deal with when you’re at home, but they can be disastrous if left unattended during a vacation. Before leaving, check your plumbing system for any signs of trouble.
If anything looks suspicious, contact a plumber immediately to save yourself the hassle of dealing with a crisis when returning from vacation.
Liaise with experts such as Indiana Leak Detection in Whiteland, who offer inspections and quality services to keep your plumbing system clean and functional.
Check Your Appliances
Most appliances are safe enough to use when you leave on vacation; however, some might require service before you go. For instance, call a specialist if the HVAC unit is not functioning well, as you do not want your furnace to quit while you are away.
If anything on your appliance breaks or malfunctions while you’re gone, it will be harder to get it fixed when you’re not in town.
Clean the House
Nobody likes coming home to a dirty house. Take some time before leaving for vacation to tidy things up. Wash the dishes, vacuum, sweep the floors and take out the trash.
You will appreciate coming home to a clean home after your trip. Then, you won’t have to worry about doing any housework when you get back.
Turn Off the Water
If you’re going to be gone for an extended period of time, it’s a good idea to turn off the water. Shut off the main water valve in your home, preventing leaks or floods while you’re away.
Set the Thermostat
When planning to be away for a week or more, it’s a good idea to set the thermostat to a lower temperature. Doing so saves money on your energy bill and keeps your home at an optimal temperature when you return.
Notify Your Neighbors
If you’ll go away for an extended period, notifying your neighbors is a good idea. This will let them know they shouldn’t be alarmed if they don’t see you around. They’ll also keep an eye on your property and call you if there’s any trouble.
Install a Security System
A security system can protect your home while you’re on vacation. You can monitor any movement inside or outside your house and control who to let into your home while you are away.
Ensure the security system is working before you leave. It would be a shame to come home from an enjoyable trip to find there was a break-in.
Install Smart Lights
Smart or programmable lights are a great way to make your home look occupied while you’re away. With smart lights, you can set them to turn on and off at certain times of the day. They will keep burglars and other intruders away from your property.
Stop All Subscriptions
Stop any newspaper, magazine and periodic deliveries before you go on vacation. Unpicked deliveries can signal to burglars that there’s no one home. If you can’t cancel the subscriptions, request your neighbor to pick them up and keep them for you until you return.
Start the Preparations Early
These are just a few things you can do to prepare your home for your vacation. Start early to ensure everything is in place before you go. You’ll have a stress-free vacation and not have to cut short your trip because of an incident at home.
