From fire prevention to smart security, simple steps that protect your home and peace of mind .
So you're going on a vacation, congratulations! Have you considered how to take care of your house while you're gone? For many of us when we have the time to go on vacation, we leave thinking about our house until the last minute. But, for the safety of your home and your peace of mind while on vacation, consider these three areas before you say “bon voyage!”
Courtesy of David Brown
Let's start off by looking at your fire safety. Naturally, none of us want a fire to occur ever, but especially not while you are on vacation. The idea is horrifying to the mind. Imagine being off somewhere having an enjoyable time, only to get a phone call about your home being a fiery ruin. To avoid that, start by clearing away anything from vents, heating elements, or outlets. Next, you want to take time before you leave to unplug any unnecessary appliances or electronics. Not only does this cut down on your energy bill while you're gone, but it ensures that nothing will overheat or spark. Finally, if you intend to turn off your water supply, turn off your water heater as well. If not. the water heater can run dry which will lead to damaging the water heater and potentially a fire.
Courtesy of Rudy and Peter Skitterians
Next let's turn to making your home comfortable when you come back. After all, you don't want to come home from vacation to find that everything is a mess and you are instantly as stressed as you were when you left. Before you leave, do one week's worth of laundry, this way you aren't doing laundry from your trip and having to worry about what you'll wear. Also, make sure to prep either a grocery order or a selection of freezer meals. Again, this way easing back into life at home is a breeze and you don't have to stress. Take the time to set your thermostats at a minimum of 55 and a max of 80. This means that no matter how cold it gets while you are gone or how hot it gets, you'll come back to comfortable temperatures and your house can easily adjust to something warmer or colder. Make sure that the last thing you do before you head out is to take out the trash. Even if it's not full, it is so much better to take the trash out before you leave then come back to pests and disgusting smells. One last important thing is to make sure that your sump pump works. Even if poor weather isn't expected while you're gone, it's better to know that your home is protected from flooding if it were to happen. Just pour water into the pit where the sump pump is, and the pump should automatically turn on. If it doesn't, you now know that you need to call a repairman.
Finally let's take a look at your security. Even if you have a ring system or an actual security company watching over your home, these are tips that can still make a difference. Some of these you will certainly have heard before. Others are built for a modern world. Start off by locking everything. Your doors, windows, fences, and your garage doors. If it can act as an entry into your home, lock it. Next up don't post about your trip specifics on social media. You are super excited and it makes sense, but so are burglars. Details like when you'll be gone, how long you'll be gone for, and even where you're going? Those should be shared with close friends and family, not everyone who can see your page. Do however, take the time to inform a neighbor or two and ask them if they would keep an eye on your house while you're gone. Just having someone pay attention can prevent a lot of trouble. Finally take advantage of Bluetooth timers and set it up so that your house looks like it is still running on your usual schedule. Having your lights go on and off at the usual times can make a big difference in ensuring that everything looks the way that it should.
Courtesy of Cottonbro Studio
So, there are our tips and tricks for making sure that your home is safe and sound while you go out and live your best life on vacation. Do you think we missed anything? Feel free to leave a comment on our page so that we can come back and revisit this, to make vacations in the coming years feel just that little bit easier. If you have some repairs to be done before you head on a long trip, and need some trusted technicians to come and help, please reach out to Appliance Rescue Service. At ARS, we're here to make your life that much easier. We'll work with you to find a date and time that meets your needs, and send out our experienced technicians to get your home running smoothly.
Call : (214) 599-0055