There is never a convenient time for something to go wrong with your home, but having something happen while on vacation is arguably the worst timing possible. With spring break approaching, the following precautions may help ensure a more relaxing vacation.
- Time up your lights: A dark house for a few days straight is a signal for anyone who has been taking notice or lurking around. Instead of leaving your lights on 24 hours a day, which will run up your electric bill and also look a bit odd, install easy timers on your indoor and outdoor lights to go on and off throughout the day so it appears that someone is home.
- Stop the mail: Don’t forget to enlist a neighbor to pick up your mail and newspapers while you are away, or place a stop order through the post office for the duration of your trip. A stack of newspapers on your driveway or doorstep is an obvious sign that no one is home.
- Alert your neighbors: Asking a neighbor to keep an eye on your house provides peace of mind while you are traveling. Make sure you have current cell phone numbers and rest assured that they would alert you if anything seems out of sorts.
- Move valuable items out of sight of windows: If you intend to keep some blinds or curtains open while you are away, make sure to move any valuable items such as laptops, TVs, jewelry or anything of importance away from plain sight if they are visible from the windows. Closing every blind or curtain could also be a problem if anyone needs to look in on the house, like a neighbor or the police checking in so move anything that could be tempting to a burglar.
- Don’t be social – keep your plans to yourself: Heading out for a vacation is exciting and the urge to post something about it on social media is tempting, but do you really want to alert “friends of friends” that you’ll be gone for the next week? Double check your privacy settings if you must post something or better yet, wait until you are back home to post those great vacation pics.
- Unplug common appliances: Since you won’t be home, remember to unplug your toaster, TV, coffee pot, and any other appliance to protect them from power surges and to save energy while you are away.
- Set your burglar alarm: If you currently have a security system installed in your home, of course remember to set it before leaving on your trip. But if you do not, and have no plans to install one before you leave, buy a security sign or stickers and display them in your yard or on your windows.
- Don’t forgo garbage day: No garbage cans on the curb for garbage day shows that no one is home or has been home. Ask a neighbor or friend to put your garbage cans by the street on garbage day and bring them back in once it has been picked up to show that everything is running as usual at your home.
- Remove any spare keys: If you have any spare keys lying around for potential lockouts, remember to remove them. Thieves know all the popular hiding spots for spare keys, including under the mat or a potted plant, inside a fake rock, etc.
- Check the weather: If any storms are projected to occur while you are gone, make the proper arrangements with a family member, friend, or neighbor to check out the house after the storm hits. A simple text message from them letting you know there is no flooding in the basement will give you the peace of mind needed to enjoy the remainder of your vacation.
Taking some easy precautions before you head out for your spring break vacation can be helpful in returning home to the house in the exact shape you left it in. Have a fun and safe spring break!