Your vacation should be full of fun and relaxation with not a care in the world. The last thing you should be worried about is your home when you are away. Weather your going out of town for a few days, a few weeks, or longer follow these 10 easy ways to prepare your home for your absence.
1. Adjust Your Thermostat
The last thing you want to do after a wonderful vacation is come home to a huge electric bill. Set your air conditioner to 85 degrees in the summer and your heater to 55 degrees in cold weather.
2. Set Programmable Light Timers
Light timers turn your household lamps on and off at the times you set them. This gives the appearance you are still home. Set a few of the timers to light at different times of the night. You can also use these timers to set a radio to go on and off. Make sure you test the timers prior to leaving on vacation.
3. Unplug
Even when your appliances and electronics are off they still are using energy when they are plugged in. Unplug items like coffee makers, toothbrushes, computers, toasters, TV’s, and sound systems.
4. Turn Off Your Water
Avoid coming home to a leak, turn off the water to your home. Just keep in mind this might affect your sprinkler system.
5. Water Heater
Set your water heater on vacation mode and save money on your heating bill.
6. Clean Out Your Refrigerator
The last thing you want to come to is a stinky house. Throw out items that will expire while you are away. Leave a opened container of baking soda to absorb any ordors.
7. Mail
Contact the USPS to suspend delivery of your mail or have a neighbor collect it for you. If you are lucky enough to have a neighbor help out ask them to remove any flyers or papers left at your door.
8. Spare Keys
If you normally keep a spare key to your home in an outside hiding place remove it while your gone.
9. Smoke Detectors
Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are all in working order and have fresh batteries.
10. Social Media
Don’t announce to the world that you are out of town, even if you are on private settings. Post your vacation photos once you return.
THe social media one is so important! i’m always shocked at how many people announce they are heading out of town.
These are some great tips! My husband and I are just buying our first place so we have not had to worry about these things in the past, so glad I found this!
What a great list I never would of thought of these.
These are great reminders. I’ve left for a week or so without doing a few of these and it was almost a disaster. I like the idea of the timer, you never know who’s watching or has caught onto the fact you’ll be gone for an extended amount of time.
These are great tips! I never thought of putting the hot water heater on vacation mode, or hiding spare keys! Thanks for sharing your ideas!
All spot on here! My husband is obsessed with smart home products so we can program/control our lights and thermostats even when we’re away from home – it’s been great for making it look like people are home.
These are great tips – some things we just simply forget! I totally agree about social media, perfect place for predators. Thankfully my parents always baby and house sit so we get to share all the vacation envy with friends 🙂
Great tips…last point is my fav. 🙂
These are such fabulous tips! I do a few of them, but definitely need to save the rest for a pre-vacay checklist!
Great tips for safety! I also always like to clean my house before I leave so I come home to a clean house!
These are all so great! I’ve never thought about turning off the water (although I can’t in the winter here), but that’s a great idea!! I always set timers for lights and adjust the thermostat or turn it off.
Some super good tips, actually. And the one you really nailed is social media! I see it all time: “Leaving for Tibet for three weeks! See y’all later!” — it always baffles me. People can say their friends would never do anything like rob their home, but really, who has ONLY friends on their facebook page? I can’t think of anybody and I’m rather choosy, but if it’s a friend of a friend, I usually accept the request. Great post!
Thank you so much! I am also baffled by the amount of information that some people divulge on Facebook, it’s crazy!
These are great tips! I have a mental checklist that I go through every time I go away and pretty much all these things are on it. I also take out the garbage right before a leave to avoid any smells or bacteria developing while I’m away.
Love love the list. I am big fan of checklists and this one is sure going to be on my refrigerator. Wonderful blog I tumbled upon today!
Thank you so much!
Such good tips, I’m always astounded when people leave on holiday and declare the dates to the world online. It’s always good to ask a friend/neighbour to keep an eye out too.
You are absolutely right about telling a neighbor! Thanks of the reminder.
Who is never anxious before the day comes and one has to go on vacation? For sure, one might even forget to clear up some of the necessary things just because of the excitement. But well, you got a guide here. Turning off the water and unplugging the appliances are the things I wouldn’t forget.
The #10 is my most favorite one. When i go to vacation is what i do. Even though my facebook it’s strictly private, i rather post the picture once im back.
You know what? We are so consumed in preping ourselves for our much needed vacation that we forget about the house! Excellent points! Better safe than sorry!
Now, this is super duper handy. I plan on traveling a lot next year and knowing me I just wouldn’t have thought of half of these. Great post!
Thank you so much, Nadine. Safe Travels.