21 Things to Do at Home Before You Leave for Vacation (And a Free Gift)
When we think about getting ready for a vacation, we usually think about ourselves. Have we packed everything? Do we have our passports and travel documents? Did we remember our medications, chargers and comfortable shoes?
But there's another part of vacation preparation that's easy to overlook: getting your home ready before you leave for your trip. Taking a few simple steps to prepare your home can help prevent water damage, protect your food, save energy and give you greater peace of mind while you're away.
Some things are obvious, like locking the doors and taking out the trash. Others may not cross your mind until you're already sitting at the airport wondering, “Did I remember to turn off the water?”
Over the years, I've collected quite a few simple things travelers can do before leaving home. None of them are particularly difficult, and most take only a few minutes. But together, they can help protect your home, prevent unnecessary problems and give you a little more peace of mind while you're enjoying your trip.
Here are some of the things I recommend considering before you walk out the door.
Protect Your Home From Water Damage
Turn off your main water supply. If you're going to be away for several days, turning off the main water supply can help prevent a small plumbing problem from becoming a major one while no one is home. If you have a sprinkler or irrigation system, pool or other water-dependent equipment, make sure you've made the appropriate arrangements before shutting off the water.
If you have an irrigation system for your lawn or garden, check how it's connected before turning off the main water supply. Some homes have a separate water supply or shutoff for irrigation, while others don't. If you're not sure how your system is configured, check with a plumber or irrigation professional before you leave.
Check for leaks. Before you leave, take a quick look under sinks and around toilets, washing machines, dishwashers and other appliances that use water. A small leak that you normally notice and deal with can become a much bigger problem if it continues for days. And if you've had an issue with a running toilet—which is literally flushing money down the drain—get it fixed before you leave.
Check your sump pump. If you have a basement and a sump pump, make sure it's working properly before you leave, particularly if you're traveling during a season when heavy rain is possible.
Think About Temperature and Electricity
Adjust your thermostat. There's no reason to heat or cool an empty house to the same temperature you prefer when you're home. Adjust it appropriately for the season, but don't turn the heat completely off in cold weather. You want to protect your home from freezing pipes.
Set your water heater to vacation mode. If your water heater has a vacation setting, use it when you're going to be away for an extended period. There's no reason to keep heating a full tank of water that nobody is going to use. But remember to change it back as soon as you get home, or that first shower is going to be a startling reminder!
Put a penny in your freezer.
Before you leave, place a penny on top of a small cup of ice and put it in your freezer. When you return, if the penny is still on top, your freezer was likely fine. If the penny has sunk, it's a sign that you lost power while you were away, meaning your food may have thawed and spoiled.
Check your refrigerator, too. Before you leave, take a quick look through the refrigerator and get rid of anything that's likely to spoil while you're gone. Coming home to a refrigerator full of forgotten leftovers isn't a pleasant way to end a vacation.
Unplug unnecessary electronics. Computers, televisions, countertop appliances, chargers and other electronics don't need to remain plugged in while you're away. Unplugging them can reduce standby electricity use and eliminate some potential electrical risks.
Make Your Home Look Like Someone Is There
A home that looks completely empty can attract unwanted attention.
Put a few lights on timers. Having lights turn on and off at appropriate times can make your home look occupied. Smart bulbs can accomplish the same thing if you already use them.
Think about your blinds and curtains. Closing them can provide privacy and help with temperatures inside your home, but you may not want every blind and curtain closed exactly the same way for days. Think about what would look normal if you were home.
Pause your mail and newspaper delivery. A stuffed mailbox or a pile of newspapers on the front step can be an obvious sign that nobody is home. If you're going to be away long enough for deliveries to accumulate, arrange to have them held or ask someone you trust to collect them.
Don't leave your garage door opener in your car. If you're leaving your vehicle at the airport or another long-term parking location, take the garage door opener with you. You don't want someone who might gain access to your vehicle to also have an easy way into your home.
Make sure your doors and windows are locked. It sounds obvious, but when you're rushing around trying to get out the door, it's surprisingly easy to overlook a window, side door or other entrance.
Don't advertise your absence on social media. I know it's tempting to post that you're leaving tomorrow for a wonderful two-week vacation, but there's no reason to announce to the world that your home will be empty. If you simply can't resist posting while you're away, at least be sure your posts are limited to your Friends List rather than set to Public.
Have Someone Keep an Eye on Things
Even if you do everything else on this list, having a trusted person check on your home while you're away can provide an extra layer of peace of mind.
Ask a trusted neighbor, friend or family member to check on your home. They can collect packages, bring in mail, water your indoor plants or simply make sure everything looks normal. If you have plants that need regular watering, make sure they know which ones need attention and how often to water them. Make sure they also know how to reach you and have whatever information or access they may need if there's an emergency.
If you live in a gated community or private-access neighborhood, check with your community's security staff before you leave. Some communities have established vacation-watch procedures or ask residents to notify security when they'll be away. If yours does, follow the community's established procedure rather than simply announcing your absence. Provide only the information security actually needs.
Remember to leave emergency contact information with someone you trust. If there's a problem at home while you're traveling, you don't want someone scrambling to figure out how to reach you or who should be contacted in an emergency.
Getting ready for your vacation doesn't stop with your home. If you're flying to your destination, you may also want to check out "From Takeoff to Landing: 16 Tips for a More Comfortable Trip", for ideas that can make the journey itself a little easier. |
A Few More Things Worth Doing
Check your smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors. Make sure they're working properly and have fresh batteries if needed before you leave.
Take out the trash. This one seems obvious, but it's easy to forget when you're focused on getting out the door. And don't forget about food waste that could become a problem while you're gone.
Take a few photos before you leave. This is one of those little tricks that can be surprisingly helpful. Take quick photos of things you've turned off, locked or adjusted. If you're halfway to the airport and suddenly wonder, “Did I turn off the coffee maker?” you may be able to check your phone instead of spending the next several hours worrying about it.
Finally, give yourself enough time to actually do all of this. Don't make your departure morning a race. If possible, start working through your home-preparation list a day or two before you leave.
Your Free Vacation Home-Prep Checklist Gift
Getting ready for vacation shouldn't be stressful. In fact, taking a little time to prepare your home can help you relax once you're on your way.
As a gift to help you get ready for your next trip, I've put together a printable Vacation Home-Prep Checklist with all of these tips in one place.
Print it before your next trip and keep it handy while you're getting your home ready. Check things off as you go, and when you finally close the door and head for the airport, you'll know you've taken care of the details that are easy to overlook.
Because you've got enough to think about when you're leaving for vacation--- your home shouldn't be one more thing to worry about while you're away.
Bon Voyage!
Happy Traveling!
-Connie
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