10 Ways To Prepare Your Home Before Leaving On Vacation

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.

10 ways To Prepare Your Home

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.

 

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23 comments

  1. Leslie says:

    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.

  2. Summer says:

    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.

  3. Lisa | amerytina says:

    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 🙂

  4. Ashley says:

    These are such fabulous tips! I do a few of them, but definitely need to save the rest for a pre-vacay checklist!

  5. Kallie says:

    Great tips for safety! I also always like to clean my house before I leave so I come home to a clean house!

  6. Kelsie Corbett says:

    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.

  7. Kristi McAllister says:

    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!

  8. Nellwyn says:

    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.

  9. Aine says:

    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.

  10. Dalene Ekirapa says:

    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.

  11. chelf says:

    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!

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