Vacations are a time for relaxation and enjoyment. Not a time for worrying about your home.
We have put together a list of 9 simple things that you can do to help protect your home while you are away on vacation so that you can enjoy and relax.
Here are 9 things to think about before you head away on vacation:
#1 – Keep your trip private
It’s great that you’re going on holiday, but don’t go broadcasting it. Social media is fun, but it has risks. It’s amazing how much information people share nowadays. You can literally track a person just by looking at what they’re posting.
#2 – Hide the signs you are away
Have someone collect mail, newspapers, flyers and door hangers that get dropped off, every couple of days. Even if you’ve stopped the newspaper delivery, we still get flyers dropped off at our door. Make sure that these get collected and removed.
#3 – Keep up the exterior home maintenance
Ensure that someone maintains the exterior of your home. If the lawn looks overgrown, the snow is not shoveled or branches haven’t been cleaned up after a storm, it can be a dead giveaway that you’re not home.
#4 – Save money
Lower your thermostat for winter getaways / raise the thermostat for summer. But don’t turn it off. You don’t want pipes to freeze in the winter. Also, the sound of the air conditioner should be heard on those hot summer days.
#5 – Lock the doors
Lock them, double check them and if you have a sliding door in your home, put a metal bar or a piece of wood in the track.
#6 – Check the garage too
Unplug the power to your automatic garage door or put it on vacation mode to keep anyone from opening it with a universal remote. Also, remember to lock your interior garage door, because it can be an easy entry point if not secured properly.
#7 – Check with your insurance company
Most insurance companies have requirements on the number of days your house can go without anyone checking in and documenting that they were there. These requirements typically change depending on the season (frozen pipes anyone!!) and it is important for you to know before you go.
No one wants to come home to a mess and then potentially having a claim declined because no one was checking in. Vacation memories ruined.
#8 – Alert your alarm company
Let them know that you will be away, for how long and who will be checking in on your home while you are away. And of course, don’t forget to set your alarm before leaving.
#9 – Have someone check-in on your home
A great way to make sure your house is safe while you’re gone is to have someone regularly visit your home. Changing the lights that are on, adjusting the blinds etc. will go a long way to give your home a lived-in look.
If you don’t know anyone, there are home check / house sitting services available to check on your home while you are away on vacation.
Final Thought
Enjoy your vacation a little more by knowing your home is being looked after. Home Sitting, Home Check and House Sitting Services are a great way to both protect your largest investment and to give you piece of mind when you are away on vacation.
If you would like to learn more about Bespoke Maintenance’s House Sitting Services or would like to get a quote, please click on the banner below.
Enjoy your vacation!
Christina
