It really doesn’t matter if you are going away for two days or two weeks, there are a variety of things that you need to take care of ahead of time. Sure, you probably already got your bags packed, hotels booked, and flights planned, but what about your home? Do you have your home prepared for a smooth return? Whether you are traveling in the winter or the summer, there are a variety of things that you need to do to ensure that your home remains safe and secure while you are away.
Setting The Right Temperatures
Did you know that water freezes at 32 degrees? If you are traveling in the winter, this can be a crucial thing to know, as you don’t want your pipes to freeze while you are away or you will come home to a total disaster. In addition to this, humidity and heat can play a major role in the home’s longevity. While you probably don’t want to waste money and resources on electricity, you do want to ensure that your home stays at a reasonable temperature during your departure. This is where a programmable thermostat can come in handy. Make sure that you set the heating to 85 degrees and the cooling to 69 degrees. This will ensure that the humidity doesn’t affect the home and you won’t have to deal with frozen pipes.
Consider Shutting Off The Plumbing
Whether you are planning your own personal vacation or you are partaking in one of the Mauritius Tour Packages, you should consider shutting off the main water valve to the home. In the event that the pipes do freeze or you develop a water leak while you are gone, shutting off the water can help greatly. Your washing machine, dishwasher, and sinks really don’t need water while you are gone, so why leave the water on in the home? This handy little tip could prevent you from coming home to a house full of water.
Ensure The Integrity Of Smoke Detectors
Just because you are leaving the home it doesn’t mean that there isn’t a chance of an electrical fire. In fact, you might be surprised to learn how many homes burn down each year due to electrical related issues. This is why it is not only imperative to ensure that your fire detectors are working and up-to-date, but you need to ensure that they are connected to an alarm system or the local fire department. It really won’t do your home any good if the alarms are blaring while your house is burning down if they aren’t tied to some sort of emergency alert system.
Alerting The Neighbors And Assigning An Emergency Contact
Just because you are away from your home it doesn’t mean that the rest of the world isn’t going to continue rolling on. This means the mailman is going to arrive on a regular basis, the gardener might show up, and you might even have some pets that need feeding. This is why you need to assign an emergency contact that can drive by the home every day and take care of these issues. The contact should have safe and secure access to the home, as well as a clear layout of the security system. This will prevent any unwanted security issues from arising. Also, make sure the individual or individuals have a contact number to reach you at all times.
We always try to tell a neighbor when we'll be out of town so they can keep an eye on the house. Our city also has a program where you can contact the police department and let them know you'll be out of town and they're supposed to send a patrol car to your house periodically.
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