The days before leaving on a vacation always feel\noverwhelming. Often, you\u2019re spending those precious days making sure you\u2019ve\npacked everything you need because the last thing you want to deal with is that\nnagging feeling that you\u2019ve forgotten something. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before you leave for your well-deserved trip, remember to\nget your home ready for your absence. To help, we\u2019ve put together this simple\nguide to prepare your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your home is professionally monitored, let your security\ncompany know when you\u2019ll be away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t waste money and energy cooling an empty home! Before\nleaving home, set your thermostat to 85 degrees (a recommended range is between\n80 to 85 degrees). Programmable or smart thermostats make this task easy\n(especially if you forget and are able to change it on the go). You can also\nset your thermostat to a cooler temperature so your home is comfortable when\nyou return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While you don\u2019t want to completely turn off the water heater, most newer models include a vacation setting that will conserve energy while you\u2019re away. If your water heater doesn\u2019t have this setting, you can simply dial down the temperature a couple of degrees. Be sure to check your manual for recommended settings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Right before you head out the door, unplug small appliances\nlike TVs, computers, and coffee makers. It may seem like a small thing but it\ncan add up to some savings!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Submit a hold on all deliveries while you\u2019re away. Piles of\nnewspapers and stuffed mailboxes are surefire signs that your home is empty.\nYou can also have a trusted neighbor or family member pick up the mail while\nyou\u2019re gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We hear you: finding the time to clean your home before\nleaving is a drag but your future self will be grateful! Check the refrigerator\nand remove anything that will expire while you\u2019re away. Toss any open boxes or\nbags in the pantry to prevent possible pest infestations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clean and rinse the sink, making sure to flush out any food\nwaste hanging in the disposal. A good option is running the disposal with a\nhalf cup of vinegar with some water. And take out the trash before leaving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Set some lights in different rooms on timers so they automatically turn on and off, making it look like someone is at home. Vary the pattern so the lights turn on and off at different times. Also, consider installing motion-activated exterior lights as an additional deterrent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It seems obvious, but go through your home and make sure\neach exterior door is locked as well as each window. It\u2019s also recommended to\nremove any hidden spare keys. You may think you\u2019ve cleverly hidden them, but\nburglars are fairly adept at finding them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following these tips for preparing and securing your home\nbefore leaving will ensure you\u2019re able to fully enjoy your vacation without\nworry and make your homecoming sweet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At Simplicity Homes, we build homes throughout the Northwest\nin Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Whether you are building your first home or\nare ready to build your retirement home, we can help. Contact us today to learn\nmore about building a new home on your land!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The days before leaving on a vacation always feel overwhelming. Often, you\u2019re spending those precious days making sure you\u2019ve packed everything you need because the last thing you…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[42,41],"class_list":["post-15760","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-home-maintenance","tag-home-safety","tag-vacation"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n