Summer is a popular time of year for vacationing. It’s refreshing to leave town and visit the beach, an amusement park, or extended family members. Regardless of where you’re vacationing, make sure your home is safe and cared for while you’re away. Follow these tips to prepare your home for vacation.
Clean Out the Fridge to Prepare Your Home for Vacation
You don’t want to come home to spoiled food. Before you leave, eat any leftovers and perishables. If there are items you can’t finish before your trip, give them to friends or toss them. Donate unopened food products to a local food pantry.
Prepare for Vacation by Dusting and Vacuuming Your Home
Take care of basic cleaning chores a day or two before you leave. Dusting, vacuuming, and scrubbing the sinks will guarantee your home is fresh and clean when you return from vacation. Just before you leave, put clean sheets on your bed.
Turn on Motion-Activated Lights
If someone approaches your home and lights come on, this will likely deter them from breaking in. Before leaving for vacation, make sure the motion-activated lights are turned on and functional.
Mow the Lawn
Prepare your home for vacation by mowing the lawn the day before leaving. Depending on how long you’re away, the grass may be overgrown when you return. But cutting it at the last minute will help keep things more manageable. If you’ll be gone for more than a week or two, hire a lawn care service to maintain the property while you’re away.
Prepare Your Home for Vacation by Turning Down the Water Heater
Don’t turn the water heater off while you’re away, as that could cause bacteria to grow in the tank. However, you can save energy costs by decreasing the temperature. Set your water heater to 120° F or lower.
Re-Program the Thermostat
Don’t turn the AC off entirely as that could cause humidity levels inside your home to climb too high. Instead, raise the temperature a few degrees to save money on energy. For instance, if you usually keep your home at 74 degrees, consider turning it up to 76 while you’re away. Doing so will keep humidity in check without wasting energy to cool an empty house.
Set Timers on Lights
When the lights in your home turn on periodically, this signals to potential intruders that the house is occupied. Prepare your home for vacation by putting your lights on a timer or installing a smart light that you control with your smartphone. Put the television or radio on a timer for a similar effect.
When you take the time to prepare your home for vacation, you’ll be better able to relax and unwind while away. Follow the tips above, and ask a friend or neighbor to keep an eye on the house and contact you if anything seems amiss.
Delta Home Inspection provides inspection services to customers in Mobile and Baldwin Counties in Alabama. Contact us to request an appointment.