Things to do before leaving for vacation: A homeowner’s guide

Who doesn't love a vacation? Whether it's lounging poolside or going on a ski trip, it's the perfect way to recharge your batteries and take a break from the daily grind. And while leaving your home is meant to be an exciting break from the potentially mundane, you want to get away feeling confident your property is in a good state. Before you head out the door, let’s discuss some things to do before vacation so that you feel comfortable leaving your home.

How to prepare your house for vacation

There are many things to do before you leave for vacation. If you’re going out of the country, you’re probably notifying your credit card company, checking for the 30th time that your passport is up to date and stocking up on all your travel necessities. In addition to getting yourself ready, you’ll want to prepare your home; for example, locking your doors and windows, unplugging electronics and cleaning out your fridge.

Keeping your home safe before leaving for vacation is a key part of preparing for a getaway. Here are some safety measures to take before traveling.

Lock your doors and windows

In day-to-day life, it’s easy to forget the simple things. Check all your doors and windows to ensure they’re locked tight. This will help keep anyone from intruding and prevent a window opening and your alarm system blaring during a powerful rainstorm.

Set an alarm

This leads us to the next safety step, setting an alarm. If you have an alarm system installed in your home, vacation’s the best time to use it. If you forgot your password or you’ve been meaning to finally lock your home security system in place, consider preparing this a few weeks before you leave.

Put valuables in a safe

Everyone owns something they hold close to their heart. And this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re stowing away giant jewels and dollar bills. This could be your computer, a cherished letter, even a stuffed animal. Put away anything that (in an emergency) you wouldn’t want to lose.

Unplug electronics

Make sure to unplug all unnecessary electronics before leaving for your trip. This includes unused chargers, hair tools, routers, televisions, microwaves — anything with a loose wire that’s easy to plug back in upon your return. Unplugging electronics will help keep your home safe from potential fire hazards and could also save you some money on your electric bill.

Prepare your light system

Speaking of electric bills, consider setting up an automatic light system so your home isn’t consistently dark. Aside from saving money and energy, setting a timer on garage lights or designing a potential system indoors can keep your home looking lively and provide you with peace of mind.

Set your thermostat

Another hot (pun intended) tip to prepare your house for vacation is setting your thermostat, which may be easier to do if you have a smart thermostat. Exercising control over the temperature of your house is important to help keep your home safe while you’re away, especially if it is the winter months and you’re trying to prevent a frozen pipe or plumbing issues. Consider your local climate to help inform an optimal temperature, and if you have a smart thermostat, you may be able to save energy by setting timers for the system.

Clean out your fridge

It’s happened to the best of us, you return home from a long trip and the lettuce has wilted, the berries have gone moldy and the milk is … the wrong texture. Do a quick scan and throw out perishable items so you can return to a happy fridge.

Take out the trash

After cleaning out your fridge, it’s time to take the trash out. Survey the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms and anywhere else you might keep a trash can. This can help prevent unwanted bugs, rodents and smells from accruing inside and outside of your home.

Mow the lawn

While this suggestion may sound, admittedly, a bit over the top, consider mowing your lawn before you leave. It helps keep your home looking lively and like someone is there to help take care of the property. An overgrown lawn may symbolize neglect or absence.

Ask a neighbor to collect your mail

If possible, ask a trusted neighbor to help collect your mail. This will help you stay organized while you’re gone and prevent papers from stacking up outside your door.

In summary

We can all agree that vacation is a time for leisurely fun. Do yourself a favor and prepare your home before you leave so that you can embrace the time off from your day-to-day responsibilities. Unplug unnecessary appliances, set up an alarm system, lock your doors, entrust a neighbor to help with your mail and have an amazing trip.

Things to do before leaving on vacation FAQs

1. Should you turn off your water heater when on vacation?

It’s recommended to keep your water heater on during vacation to help prevent frozen pipes and the cost of turning the heater back on and reheating your home. However, identifying the type of water heater and asking a trusted plumber may provide you with more assurance.

2. Should you turn off the AC when on vacation?

It’s not typically recommended to turn off your HVAC (heating, ventilation and cooling system) when you’re on vacation. While cutting costs is understandable while you’re away, regulating your home’s temperature, to a certain extent, helps prevent damage from bacteria, fungi and more.

3. How do you stop your mail when going on vacation?

If you’re interested in stopping your mail while on vacation, you may contact the U.S. Postal Service up to 30 days before the desired start date to submit the hold.USPS-mail-service