Protect your home
Spend your vacation NOT worrying about your house
When you’re planning a vacation, worrying about your house is unlikely to make the list of “top 10 things I want to do.” Fortunately, you can free up your precious time off for fun stuff like sightseeing , romancing and relaxing, yet still keep your home in great shape while you’re away. Just follow our handy guide.
• Turn off the water supply to your washer. Better yet, turn off the water supply to your entire house. A failed washing machine hose or a burst water pipe can quickly and quietly cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage during your absence.
• Stop your mail for the duration. Envelopes piling up in the mailbox are a sure sign no one’s home. That’s like putting out a welcome mat for would-be intruders. USPS will hold your mail for up to 30 days while you’re away … and you can notify them as much as a month in advance or at the last minute (3 a.m. on the morning you want delivery suspended).
• Put a temporary hold on paper delivery, too. If you subscribe to a print newspaper, let the delivery service know the dates it will not be needed.
• Create the illusion someone’s home. Another break-in deterrent is a house that appears occupied. Set up lights and a radio to turn on and off using a timer. A digital timer with battery backup will protect you even when there’s a power outage.
• Adjust your thermostat. Leave your A/C on to dehumidify and prevent mold growth, but set the thermostat higher than usual for energy efficiency. Seventy-seven degrees or thereabouts should do the trick. If you have a programmable thermostat, make sure the temperature will be lowered a couple of hours before your return.
• Leave the house (relatively) clean. Wait, what! When you’re busy packing, who wants to pick up a broom? You will come home eventually, though, and when you do, you don’t want that post-vacation glow to turn into gloom. A major overhaul isn’t necessary; just make sure your house feels like a pleasant place to return to.
BONUS POINTS: Change your sheets so you’ll sleep in a clean bed your first night home.
• Take out the garbage. This will keep your home smelling sweet and discourage mice, houseflies, and other pests. If HOA regulations only allow putting out garbage on certain days of the week — not the day you’ll be traveling — wrap the garbage well and stash it in your freezer.
• Close and lock all windows and doors. This low-tech tip is still very effective. A wannabe burglar is usually looking for a house with easy access; locking up will make your home a much less tempting. Don’t forget that one particularly vulnerable spot — the entrance door from your attached garage.
• Unplug. Disconnect your electronic devices (television, PCs, game consoles, and the like – even your microwave!) or switch off their power strip to minimize “phantom energy” use.