Whether you are traveling for business or holiday, stress should be the last thing on your mind. But isn’t it natural to worry about leaving your home unoccupied for several days or months (if you plan an extended trip)? Yes, every homeowner would feel the same way because keeping your home safe is a responsibility even while you are away. Despite the fact that you do feel worried about your place, there are some great ideas that smart homeowners can embrace to keep their homes safe while they travel. Let us share some tips for you.
Don’t announce it on social media
The biggest mistake that people make even before leaving for a trip is to announce it on social media. Though you would want to share your excitement with others, declaring the same on social media puts your place at risk. There could be some contacts who would rather be interested in your home because of all the wrong reasons. Make it a rule that none of the family members should post socially before the trip.
Unplug everything
As a rule of thumb, you should unplug all the appliances before leaving because it is always better to be safe than sorry. There have been cases of fires caused by power surges when the homeowners were away. A smarter idea would be to turn off the mains. Clean the refrigerator and dispose of the leftovers before turning it off as well.
Have someone to watch your house
Brooke Patterson from EstateSitting.com says that unoccupied homes are more likely to have water damage from broken pipes, theft, or broken appliances. The best thing to do, therefore, is to have someone staying in to watch your house in your absence. Though you can ask a friend or relative to do it, the better option would be to engage a professional house sitter. A professional can take better care of your property and pets if you are planning a long trip.
Put your newspaper and mail on hold
A pile of newspapers on your front door or mail bulging out of your mailbox are screaming signs of no one being home. This is like an open invitation for burglars who will obviously know that the place is vacant. Make sure that you put them on hold for the period you are traveling. All you need to do is to drop a message to the providers and they will hold the service for you. And getting things started when you return is equally easy!
Don’t give any other indication that you are away
Another sign that a home is unoccupied is the lights being on for weeks at a stretch. Similarly, tightly drawn curtains are also an indication that you are away, particularly if you keep them open normally. The idea is to keep things as normal as you can. You can install a home automation system to turn the lights on and off at specific times. Ask a trustworthy neighbor or friend to keep checking your home on a regular basis.
Following these easy tips can help you keep your place safe while you are away. Further, it enables you to be stress-free and concentrate only on your work or leisure depending on the reason for your trip.
These are all great tips. We installed a home security system and have two different neighbors that come and check when we are out of town.
ReplyDeleteThese are good suggestions. I don't know too many people who unplug appliances, but yes, they should. I have recently seen on a local FB group someone came back from a vacation and they were flooded from their water heater (or something) had broken, and did a lot of damage. Sometimes it is hard to find neighbors to watch your place, many times people keep to themselves, which isn't the greatest.
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