What To Do When Preparing Your Home Before Vacation
You likely have a lot on your mind when you’re planning to leave town for an extended amount of time, and this should include getting your home ready before you leave. Below are some items that should be on your checklist when preparing your home before vacation.
1. Get Rid of Food
Items in the freezer are usually fine, as are foods in the pantry. Foods in the refrigerator are the biggest concern when it comes to food spoiling before you return home. Make an effort to finish up all perishable food while preparing your home before vacation. If you can’t eat food that will go bad before you return, dispose of it so it will not get moldy and spoil while you are away.
2. Turn Down the Thermostat and Hot Water Heater
Make sure you turn up (or down, depending) the thermostat before you leave when preparing your home before vacation. There is no reason to keep the temperature the same as you would when people are present in the house. You should also turn the temperature on your water heater down. Most water heaters have a vacation mode, making this a simple task. Both of these items on your preparation checklist save electricity and money while you’re away.
3. Get a Pet-Sitter
If you have pets, you will need to find someone to take care of them while you are away. You have a number of options. Dogs and cats can often be boarded at vet offices, which is especially a good idea if your pet is older or has an ongoing health issue. Animals can also be boarded at private, commercial kennels. Another option, that allows your pet to remain in the comfort of their own home, is to ask a friend, family member, neighbor or a pet-sitting business to look after your animals while you are away. This is a better option if you have smaller pets such as fish and hamsters that cannot be boarded but will still need care while you are away.
4. Stop Newspaper or Mail
If you don’t have someone who will be coming over to your house every day to take care of your pets or water your plants, you should request that your newspaper delivery and mail is stopped before you leave. Otherwise, papers will accumulate on your porch and in your mailbox, which is a sure sign that you are away from home and could potentially make your home a tempting target for a break-in.
5. Let A Trusted Neighbor Know Where You Are
This can also be a friend or family member who doesn’t live too far away. You want someone else to know where you are and when you will be back in case something goes wrong. Leave emergency contact information with them. Your friend or neighbor will keep an eye on your home for anything suspicious or in case of an emergency such as a fire or natural disaster.
6. Take Out The Trash
Be sure to take out all trash, especially kitchen trash, while preparing your home for vacation. If someone will be coming to your home, you can ask them to take the trash bin to the curb as usual on trash day and bring it back in afterward.
Cal Home Inspection serves the Greater Sacramento Area with certified home and commercial building inspection services. Contact us to schedule an appointment.