Today I wanted to share some helpful hints to remember before you go on vacation:
- Leave your front porch/coach lights on… using a timer can be a good way to ensure they’re not left on 24-hours a day though.
- Use another timer to have an interior light on overnight that can be seen from outside the front of your home.
- Let your neighbors know you’re leaving… they can keep a watch on your home while you’re away and pick up any newspapers or door flyers and pull up your garbage cans so that doesn’t give the perception you’re gone.
- Turn off the water valves to toilets and sinks throughout the home so you don’t come home to a flood if something were to fail. (washing machine isn’t a bad idea either)
- Set your landscaping watering system timers appropriately so they still water your plants and lawn during your time away.
- In some municipalities, you can notify the police of your vacation time and they’ll have an officer check the home for security periodically.
- If you have a pool, confirm your chlorine tab floater is full and timer is set to run long enough for the weather conditions. Plus empty those skimmer & filter baskets.
- Double check all windows and doors to make sure they’re fully locked and secure.
- Turn your water heater down to “vacation” mode to conserve energy, but remember to turn it back up when home.
- Set you’re A/C thermostat up a little to conserve energy, but not too high, especially if you have pets staying behind.
- Be careful what you choose to post on Social Media websites!
- Unplug small kitchen appliances and turn off electronics.
