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Everyone looks forward to vacation time with great excitement. Before you set out for vacation, however, there is something very important that needs your attention — your house. Preparing your house for a vacation is a major task. If the vacation is only for a few days, you may need to organize less. If your vacation duration is a long one, however, there are certain things that you must keep in mind while preparing your home. Here are the top five.
5 Tips to Prepare Your Home for an Extended Vacation
Keep Your Neighbors and Local Police Informed
It’s very important for a few people close by to know the duration of your absence so that they can keep a timely check on your house. You could ask your neighbors to watch the house from outside, or if you trust them enough, you could also hand over your spare keys. That way, they can check the house for any signs of invasions, water your plants, check the mailbox, and keep the lights turned on for some time in order to give the house a feeling of being occupied.
Check Electricity, HVAC, and Plumbing
Practically, one should try and unplug every electrical appliance like the microwave, washing machine, and dishwasher in order to avoid short circuits or any other kind of electrical mishap. Also, consider setting the thermostat 10 to 15 degrees lower so that the chances of damaging the flooring, fabric, and furniture is reduced. We suggest that you schedule an HVAC service before leaving for vacation, because a broken or poorly working HVAC could cause problems when you are away for so long. Plumbing should be checked to avoid any water leakages, and also consider closing all water valves. You may contact Home Service Direct for plumbing services.
Avoid Social Media Announcements
Try not to disclose the exact details of your vacation and duration of your absence on social media. Though we all love sharing locations, posting pictures, and talking about our vacation fun times on social media, literally giving out details of how long your house is going to be unoccupied could invite unnecessary attention to the house.
Clean the House
Image via Flickr by yourbestdigs
After a lovely vacation, you definitely will not like to come back to a smelly home. Cleanliness before you leave keeps it hygienic while you’re gone. Empty the refrigerator and make sure you don’t leave any food items to rot. Dispose of garbage and check your kitchen for any leftover food. Installing an air freshener after cleaning up can also help to keep the air fresh and fragrant.
Install a Security System
When you are away from home for a long time, the fear of theft is always a nagging thought. Thanks to technological advancements, you can install various types of security systems without burning a hole in your pocket. From Wi-Fi cameras to sensor-based floodlights and burglar alarms, these systems can really help with securing the house.
With these things in check, you will be able to enjoy a peaceful vacation without getting stressed. When your trip ends, you will come back to a happy home.
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These are great tips! I often forget to take care of at least one thing before we go on a trip. This year, I forgot to tell the bank we were going on a road trip and they flagged our debit card. While I’m grateful they’re watching out for us, it’s always fun to discover this info when you’re trying to pay for something!
oh yeah that is so annoying! but in a good way!