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As great as a vacation can be, if you don’t take care of things before you leave, you could return home to a big mess. From overgrown lawns to packages left on the front porch and break-ins, no shortage of inconveniences can pile up when you’re gone.
In this article, we’ll provide you with a number of expert-provided tips for keeping your home tidy and secure while you’re away.
Take Care of Your Home’s Exterior Before you Go
Before you leave for vacation, you’ll want to make your home look maintained so potential burglars don’t know you’re gone. The best way to do this is by taking care of your home’s exterior.
Practice Proactive Landscaping
Tend to your yard to prevent it from looking neglected. You should mow the lawn, trim hedges, and complete any necessary pruning. If thieves see a freshly mowed lawn, they’ll likely assume people are home. On the other hand, an overgrown lawn is a sign that homeowners are away.
Thwart Potential Thieves
While a home security system is the best protection, other simple ways to discourage burglars exist. For example, even if you don’t have a home security system, you can still put up a sign for one to help keep burglars at bay. Another solution is to spread gravel near entry points so it will make a noise if someone walks on it and warn neighbors about suspicious activity.
You can also prevent thieves by adding motion-sensor lights around your property’s perimeter. Many times, intruders will avoid well-lit areas. Additionally, visible security cameras, whether functional or fake, can provide extra peace of mind by making your home a less attractive target.
Move Your Spare Key
If you typically keep a spare key hidden outside, now is the perfect time to relocate it. Remove any spares from prominent hiding spots like under flowerpots or fake rocks. Instead, leave a spare with a trusted neighbor or friend for emergencies.
If you have the time and money, consider upgrading to a smart lock system, which allows you to control access to your home remotely. This technology can provide neighbors or family members temporary access codes so they don’t need a physical key to get in. Smart locks also offer access activity logs, giving you real-time updates on who enters your home.
Prepare Your Home’s Interior for Your Vacation
Once you’ve taken care of your exterior, it’s time to focus on your home’s interior.
Run Your Garbage Disposal
To avoid coming home to unpleasant odors and pests, take care of your garbage disposal before leaving. If you’re unsure where to start this process, try tossing in lemon rinds, then run the disposal with the cold water tap on to eliminate lingering food particles and leave your kitchen smelling fresh.
Additionally, clean the sink trap and wipe down your kitchen counters to ensure no food remnants could decay or attract pests.
Unplug Unused Appliances
You can save on your electric bill by unplugging appliances that draw power even when not in use. Microwaves, coffeemakers, and other devices with standby lights or clocks often consume energy unnecessarily. By disconnecting these items, you’ll reduce your passive energy consumption and lower your utility costs while away. We also recommend unplugging your home entertainment systems, computers, and other electronics to protect them from potential power surges.
Turn Off Your Water Main Valve
Preventing water damage is a key concern when leaving your home unattended. Stopping water at the source can prevent leaks, so turn off your water main valve if you’re going away for more than a few days. Turning off the main water valve is especially important in colder weather, as the lack of pressure can help prevent pipes from bursting if temperatures drop unexpectedly.
Manage Your Mail and Deliveries While on Vacation
An overflowing mailbox or pile of packages at your door is a clear sign that no one’s home. It can also make it easy for thieves to take these boxes off your porch. To prevent theft, take these steps to manage your mail and deliveries while you’re away.
Pause Your Post
To prevent mail buildup, use the USPS Hold Mail service to temporarily stop your mail delivery. You can have all your mail held for pickup or delivered in one batch upon your return. This service is easy to set up online and provides peace of mind during your absence.
Set Up Home Monitoring While You are Away
Creating the illusion that someone is home is an effective deterrent for most burglars. Use these strategies to make your house appear occupied.
Randomize Your Lights
While many homeowners use timers to turn lights on and off, a predictable pattern can be a giveaway that no one’s home. Opt for a timer that allows for variety, like the Honeywell 7-Day Programmable Timer Switch, to set different on/off times for each day of the week. This randomization creates a more natural, lived-in appearance.
If you want to go the extra mile, you can set timers for radios, TVs, and other devices to make it sound like people are inside.
Consider a Home Security System
Installing a comprehensive home security system is the best way to protect your property. Modern systems offer remote monitoring, smart home integration, and real-time alerts.
If a complete security system isn’t in your budget, consider installing smart doorbells or cameras you can monitor from your smartphone while away.
Handle Digital and Social Media with Care While on Vacation
It may seem harmless to post vacation photos, but social media can tip people off that you’re away from home. Before you share your photos with the online world, it’s important to check a few settings.
Before sharing vacation photos or updates, review your social media privacy settings. If you haven’t already, make sure your posts are only visible to friends and family (at least while on vacation), not to the general public. This precaution prevents broadcasting your absence to the world.
Get Help from Neighbors While on Vacation
Neighbors can be a huge help in keeping an eye on your property while you’re away. When in doubt, ask a friend.
Alert Your Neighbor
Whether you ask for their help or not, telling a trusted neighbor or nearby friend about your travel plans doesn’t hurt. That way, they’ll know where you are and won’t be alarmed when they see you’re not home for days at a time.
Your neighbor can also watch for any unusual activity and call the police quickly if something goes wrong. Be sure to let them know if any friends or family members are coming over to house sit, pet sit, or water plants.
Ask for Driveway Assistance
If your driveway is typically occupied, an empty space can signal that you’re gone. Ask a neighbor to park their car in your driveway, especially when your vehicle would usually be present. This simple act can make it look like someone is home, preventing potential intruders.
Last-Minute Vacation Checklist
Before you walk out the door, run through these final checks to ensure everything is in order for your vacation.
Double-Check Locks and Windows
Confirm that you’ve locked all doors and windows, including less-used entry points like garage doors, basement windows, skylights, and vents.
Test each lock to ensure it’s functioning properly.
If you have a security system, arm it before leaving.
Adjust Thermostat Settings
Set your thermostat to an energy-efficient temperature while you’re away. In summer, you can set it higher than usual, and in winter, lower. However, avoid extreme settings, which can freeze your pipes or foster mold growth. Many smart thermostats allow you to adjust settings remotely if needed.
Empty Trash and Perishables
Empty your refrigerator of perishable items that could create odors. Then, consider leaving an open box of baking soda in the fridge to absorb any residual odors.
Wash and put away any dishes to prevent mold and bacteria growth, as well as pest infestation.
Research Your Vacation Destination
Research your destination, including local laws and customs, so you know what to expect before leaving for your vacation. According to the U.S. Department of State, there are plenty of risks while traveling, including theft and violence. Watch your possessions closely, avoid sketchy situations, and stay in contact with friends and family at home so they know your whereabouts.
When in doubt, double-check the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ traveler’s checklist before locking the door and packing up the car. This checklist gives you information on traveling risks, travel insurance, customs restrictions, advice for traveling with a pet, and more.
