How To Prepare Your Home For An Extended Travel: 13 Tips
Are you planning an extended trip and need to make sure your home is taken care of while you’re gone? Whether you’re going on a month-long vacation or moving abroad for an extended period of time, there are a few things you need to do to prepare.
It is normal to worry about your home while you are gone on a long trip. From the threat of burglars to weather damage, there are a lot of things that can go wrong. But by taking a few precautions, you can rest assured knowing your home is in good hands.
Here are a few tips on how to prepare your home for an extended vacation:
1. Empty The Fridge
One of the first things you need to do is empty the fridge. If you’re leaving for an extended period of time, chances are your food will go bad. So, it’s best to either eat everything before you leave or give it away to friends and family. Either way, you have to make sure your fridge is empty before you go. It will also save you cost on your electricity bill while you are away
2. Unplug All Appliances
Another important thing to do is to unplug all your appliances. This includes your TV, computer, microwave, and anything else that uses electricity. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so make sure you unplug all appliances before you leave on your trip. This will prevent any potential fires from happening while you’re gone.
3. Turn Off Water Supply
It’s also a good idea to turn off the water supply to your home. This way, you won’t have to worry about any leaks or flooding while you’re away. When you’re away, a little plumbing leak can turn into a big problem in your home. So, it’s better to be safe and turn off the water before you leave for your trip. To do this, simply locate your main water valve and turn it off. After turning it off, turn on your faucets to release any leftover water in the pipes.
4. Empty Your Trash Can
Another thing you need to do before leaving for your trip is to empty your trash can. If you have a lot of trash, it’s best to take it out a few days before you leave so that it doesn’t start to stink up your home. No one wants to come home to a smelly house, so make sure you empty your trash can before you go.
5. Secure Your Home
You need to make sure your home is secure. This means ensuring all doors and windows are locked and that any valuables are stored safely away. Do not leave your window blinds or curtains open as this will give burglars a clear view of your home. If you have a home security system, now is the time to activate it. Make sure it is turned on and set to the away setting.
Do not hide your home keys anywhere near your home. While it is tempting to leave hide your keys for family members to use whilst you are away, don’t. You are just making it easy for burglars to gain access to your home. Give the key to a trusted family member or neighbor who can check in on your home while you are away.
6. Alert Your Trusted Neighbors
You should also let your neighbors know that you’ll be gone so they can keep an eye on your property. If you have a close relationship with your neighbors, give them a copy of your house key. This way, they can enter your home in case of an emergency. If you don’t have a close relationship with your neighbors, simply let them know that you’ll be gone for an extended period of time and ask them to keep an eye on your home.
7. Prepare Your Home For The Weather
Prepare your home for weather elements to reduce the risk of damage while you are away. If there are any leaks on your roof, get them repaired before you leave. If you live in an area that gets a lot of rain, make sure your gutters are clear and that your roof is in good condition, and make sure your home is properly sealed.
8. Protect Your Vehicle
If you have a vehicle, it’s important to protect it while you’re away. This includes making sure it’s in good working condition and that there are no flat tires. If you have a garage, make sure to park your car inside and close the garage door. If you don’t have a garage, park your car in a well-lit area. You should also consider getting a car cover to protect your vehicle if it will be parked outside.
9. Mail And Bills Arrangement
You need to make arrangements for your mail and bills. If you’re going to be gone for more than a few weeks, you’ll need to have someone else collect your mail. You can also set up automatic payments for your bills so you don’t have to worry about them while you’re away.
10. Control Your Light
Turn off all your lights before you leave, and if you have a timer, set it to turn on and off randomly. This will make it appear as though someone is home. If you have any outside lights, make sure they are turned off as well. The last thing you want is to come home to a high electric bill.
11. Cancel Any Deliveries
If you have any deliveries coming to your home, make sure to cancel them. This includes things like newspapers or any scheduled deliveries. You don’t want anything sitting outside your home while you’re gone.
12. Don’t Post Travel Plans On Social Media
It’s important to not post your travel plans on social media. This is because you don’t want to give outsiders a heads up that you’ll be away from home. Sometimes the excitement of an upcoming trip can be too much to resist, but it’s best to wait until you’re back home to post about your travels.
13. Tidy Up Your Home
The last thing you need to do before leaving for your trip is to tidy up your home. This includes making sure all the beds are made, the dishes are put away, and everything is in its place. You don’t want to come home to a messy house. Clean your countertops, stove, floor, bathroom, sinks, and floor, etc, and put everything in its right place to avoid coming home to a big cleaning project.
Summary
By following these tips, you can rest assured knowing that your home is safe and secure while you’re away. Start by making a list of everything you need to do in order to prepare your home for your trip. Once you have a list of everything that needs to be done, start tackling it one item at a time. Enjoy your travels
