The kids are out of school, the weather is getting hotter and summer is officially here. It’s the time most people take their much earned vacation days and plan a summer trip intended to relax even the most stressed out family members. Whether it’s camping by the beach or booking a room at a hotel resort, summer brings endless vacation options. So once the suitcases have been packed with the newest bathing suits and the coolers have been filled with fun drinks and barbeque essentials, there’s still one important aspect to take care of before you head off into vacation paradise – your home. You might be gone for a short two-day weekend, or on a two-week adventure, but making sure your home is safe and secure is one detail of the trip you can’t afford to overlook.
To make sure you come home to a safe and welcoming home, be sure to follow these steps before making your departure.
• Put your lights on timers. You don’t want your house to look like no one is home. By simply putting your lights on timers, it looks like someone is home and a burglar is less likely to try to break in.
• Place any valuables out of sight. Don’t leave tempting valuables for anyone to see.
• Tell a neighbor that you are leaving town. They can watch over your house. You can also get a house sitter to bring in your mail, newspapers or take care of any animals.
• Turn the air conditioner off. You will save a great deal by not running the air and who needs a cool house when there is no one to cool down?
• Water heaters. If you have a gas water heater, turn the temperature dial to VAC, the vacation setting. If you don’t have this setting just turn the dial to the lowest thermostat level, but not completely off. If you have an electric water heater cut the power at the breaker or the fuse in the service panel.
• The refrigerator can be a big energy waster. By raising the internal temperature a couple notches, you’ll be saving. If the temperature is raised to 38 degrees it will still keep the food safe.
• Unplug or turn off any appliance or electronic device that is not being used. Microwaves, computers and televisions draw power even if they are turned off.
• When you leave check and double check windows and locks. Make sure you set an alarm system or just lock your doors. Check every window.
With all of the packing and planning that goes into vacations, it’s easy to overlook some simple things. To make sure your home is safe and secure before a trip, take some time to plan these tips into your schedule. That way when the vacation is all over and you’re more than relaxed, you won’t come home to a mess that could’ve been avoided.