Given the hustle and stress of daily life, everyone deserves a nice, relaxing vacation to escape the daily grind. So whether you’re planning a relaxing retreat or an exciting family excursion, going on a holiday takes a lot of preparation, and in the midst of all the excitement, some small but important details can be overlooked.
No matter how long you plan to be gone, make it a top priority to prepare your home before you leave, not only to protect your property but to come back to a comfortable home after your trip.
Make Your House Appear Occupied
Regardless of whether your vacation is only a few days or for a couple of weeks, make sure that your house looks occupied so it doesn’t become a target for theft.
- Use light timers, and adjust the settings so they work even when you’re not home. If you can use Alexa or Google Home to control the lights remotely, that would be even better. If you don’t have light timers, you can leave a few lights on in the house while you’re away. You can also install motion-activated outdoor lights for added safety.
- When you have a mailbox overflowing with letters or packages sitting on your doorstep, it’s a clear indication that you’re out of town. This can make it easy for burglars to target your house. Therefore, make sure that you pause your mail service with the USPS or have a friend collect your mail until you’re back.
- Close your blinds or windows. Not only will this help keep inquisitive eyes away, but it will also keep your home cooler.
- Ensure that your home security system is working. It is absolutely crucial that you verify your security system is up to date and functioning properly before leaving for vacation.
Prepare For Bad Weather
Weather conditions are unpredictable, but you can prepare yourself to not only protect your property, but also make it look occupied. For instance, if you have outdoor patio furniture and a thunderstorm suddenly hits, it can blow the cushions away or topple light furniture. Having furniture and cushions all over the yard is a clear indication that you’re out of town. If you do have any patio furniture, make sure that you secure it before leaving. This also applies to any lightweight decorations that can blow away.
Take a walk around your yard and trim any overgrown bushes or dead branches, especially near your windows. Also, if there are any home repairs, such as a leaking faucet or a broken window, now is the time to fix them. Often, small repairs can grow into expensive ones, especially when you’re not at home.
Clean Your House
There is really no feeling like coming back to a neat and cosy home. Make sure you spend time cleaning your home so your return is as relaxing as your vacation.
- Clean the dishes and empty the dishwasher. The last thing you want to come back to is dirty dishes piled up in the sink.
- Clean the bathrooms, make sure all toiletries are closed with lids, and that all appliances are unplugged.
- Put on a fresh set of sheets on your bed so you come home to a neat, clean bed.
- Finish all your laundry before leaving, because once you get back, you will have suitcases full of dirty clothes to wash.
- Empty out all the trash to prevent unwanted pests or bad odors.
- Don’t keep any perishable food, and clean out your pantry and refrigerator. Make sure you don’t leave anything that could attract pests or cause unpleasant odors.
Unplug Appliances
Did you know that electronics still consume electricity when plugged in, even when they are turned off? You can reduce your electricity bill by unplugging all unnecessary appliances. This includes computers, televisions, bathroom appliances, kitchen appliances, and home office equipment. You can also adjust the thermostat when you’re away by moving it a few degrees during summer or lowering it a bit during winter to save energy.
Schedule The Bills
If you have any payments due while you’re away, make sure to schedule them so they go through automatically. You certainly don’t want your entire holiday ruined by missing loan payments or bills. Scheduling your payments gives you peace of mind, knowing your finances are in order.
Secure Your Home
- Check that all the doors and windows are properly locked. If you have sliding doors, ensure they are secured, as they are among the things people are most likely to forget.
- Test your home security system and confirm you can access it via an app or the provider’s website. If your vacation is for an extended period, contact your alarm company, as most providers will add extra precautions during a power outage or disturbance in your area.
Protect Your Vehicle
If you’re leaving your vehicle at home while you’re on vacation, make sure it’s ready for long-term storage. Give your car a quick wash to remove any water stains, grease, tar, bird droppings, or mud before parking it in the garage. If you don’t have one, use a waterproof car cover.
If you’re planning to be away for an extended period, it’s a good idea to disconnect the car battery or use a battery trickle charger to prevent battery drainage. If your trip is set to last more than a month, ensure the gas tank is filled to prevent moisture from building up and to avoid the seals from drying out. Also, change the oil before leaving so contaminants from old oil do not damage your engine.
Final Thoughts
When you go out on a vacation, it’s supposed to be a relaxing experience, but if you’re constantly worried about what’s happening back home, then it can dampen the entire mood. The only way to fix this is to prepare your home before you leave on vacation to reduce the risk of issues, damage, or break-ins.
