Before you toss your last bag into your car, make sure your home is ready for your extended absence.
Here are seven tips to get it ready:
- Set your hot water heater to its vacation setting, if applicable.
Unless you've someone visiting the house and can need warm water while you're gone, save energy by not leaving your water heater on its normal setting.
- Clean out your refrigerator.
Check expiration dates and toss out when needed.
How to clean your refrigerator and keep it clean
- Unplug small appliances and electronics.
- Connect the lamps or any other lighting you normally use in the evening hours to a timer.
This way, passersby won't know you're out of town. Be sure to inform a trusted neighbor or two regarding your vacation plans so that they could be more alert about any visitors to your home.
- Close blinds and curtains in sunny locations.
- Finish your laundry.
When you come back from your trip, you'll likely have several loads of laundry. Minimize the workload by looking into making sure you get as much as laundry done as possible before your trip.
- Prep for any visiting family or friends.
If you're having a family member or friend stop by to care for pets or plants, enable your trusted neighbors know so they don't fear they are intruders. Should there be a chance your visitors will use any of your appliances (microwave, dishwasher, dryer, washing machine), be sure explain how they try to avoid any costly mistakes. Remove spills within ranges and microwave ovens to avoid smoking.
Anything you'd add to this list? Please be part of the comments below.
Have a great vacation!
