Going on vacation should be a relaxed and worry-free experience. You don’t want to spend your whole holiday fretting over a faulty security alarm or a broken window lock; this is why it’s a good idea to properly prepare your home if you’re going to be out of town for more than a few days. Obviously, you’ll want to make sure your smoke detector is working properly and check all the doors and windows are locked, but there are several other precautions worth taking that you might not have considered. Here’s how to thoroughly prepare your home before going on vacation.
Keep Your Home Looking Occupied
An empty house is an open invitation to burglars, so you should try to make your house look lived-in while you’re away. Close the drapes so people can’t see in but keep a few lights on,so it looks like there’s someone home. It’s also a good idea to ask your neighbor to park on your driveway occasionally so it looks like there’s someone going in and out of your home. Another idea is to install a motion-activated floodlight outside your property – you’d be surprised how this deters strangers from nosing around your home.
Check Your Security System
It goes without saying that you’ll want to check your security system is working correctly before you go on vacation. This could mean testing your burglar alarm to make sure it works efficiently or asking a professional to come and inspect your current systems. If you’re going away for any length of time, it’s a good idea to update or replace old equipment,so you know it won’t fail while you’re away. If any of your alarms or security cameras need replacing, you can contact Eurolink Security for an emergency call out.
Take Plumbing and Electrical Precautions
Keeping your appliances running while you’re away will not only rack up bills unnecessarily, it could also create costly problems such as a flood or appliance breakdown. Keep your home safe by unplugging your TV and consoles,emptying and turning off the refrigerator, turning off the water valves to the dishwasher and washing machine and putting your water heater on “vacation mode.” If the weather is particularly cold outside, you may also want to run your central heating on a timer,so your pipes don’t freeze over.
Let People Know You’re Going Away
Before you go vacation, it’s a good idea to let a trusted neighbor know that you’re going to be out of town. Hopefully, they’ll agree to check up on your property once or twice, water your plants and collect your mail. You should also inform your credit card company and security provider that you’re going away in case they need to contact you. Leave your neighbor a contact number for your hotel or accommodation, as well as the number of someone in the country that can be contacted in the event of an emergency.
If you do all of this, you should be able to enjoy your vacation without worrying about the home you’ve left behind.
