The 411 on Prepping your Home for Extended Getaways
To prevent disaster from striking while you’re away from your home, there are a few precautions you should take before your leave for an extended getaway.
08/01/2021
If you’ve been feeling run down from tedious everyday tasks and monotonous work schedules, it may be time for an extended vacation. Drawn-out getaways allow you to recharge your drained battery, experience one-of-a-kind adventures, and come home feeling ready to take on new endeavors. Unfortunately, leaving your home unattended for extended periods while you’re sunbathing at a luxury resort or hiking through national parks can bring unexpected consequences. Flooding, fires, mold, and other damage can all occur when your home is no longer under your watchful and attentive eye. To prevent disaster from striking while you’re away, there are a few precautions you should take before your departure.
Move your vehicle from the driveway
Keeping your vehicle parked in your driveway leaves it susceptible to damage or—in worst-case scenarios—burglary. Paying to park at a lot, renting out a personal garage, or shipping your vehicle to your vacation spot are all options to keep your car safe and sound. Better yet, avoid sketchy ride-shares and long taxi-waits altogether by relocating your vehicle for easy, comfortable travels. To find a reputable car transport service, try searching “relocating vehicle” to compare rates and services.
Complete Household Tasks
Before you and your travel-mates pack into an
airport shuttle and make your way across the
globe, remember to tidy-up your home space for
guilt-free travels and a warm welcome home.
Clean out perishables from your fridge, take out
rotten, food-filled garbages, and clear
potentially hazardous clutter to prevent
bacterial infestations and appliance mishaps.
Alongside a thorough cleaning, prep and
secure your home for your departure by arming
alarm systems,
shutting off non-essential
utilities, and locking doors and windows. To be
extra cautious, ask a trusted neighbor to
collect deliveries or newspapers to avoid
pile-ups and potential thievery.
Put entertainment services on hold
Don’t throw away your hard-earned money on services you won’t be using while you’re on vacation. If you’re currently paying for internet and cable television, consider a temporary pause that can be easily undone upon your return. In doing so, you save money, which you can spend on additional tourist attractions or souvenirs at your destination.
Set up automatic sprinklers
Leaving your home unattended for an extended period could mean certain death for your lawn and garden. Luckily, relatively easy solutions are available, like automatic, remotely-operated sprinkler systems. You can check settings and manage times from the beachside, depending on how advanced your system is. Not only will this preserve your outdoor spaces, but it will also simulate a presence at your residence for extra protection.
Photograph your home
Although unlikely, worst-case scenarios do happen. Fire, flooding, and burglary are all possible disasters that could strike at any moment while you’re blissfully unaware of destructive emergencies. Taking pre-vacation photos of your home can come in handy if you need to prove to law enforcement or insurance agencies which belongings were damaged or stolen. Take safety precautions a step further by capturing snapshots of out-of-reach essential documents—like passports, birth certificates, and bank information—for easy-access via virtual uploading sites.
Final word
Avoid unnecessary stress while vacationing by securing and prepping your home for an extended stay. By delaying unneeded utilities and services, tidying up your space, and taking necessary precautions, you’ll enjoy your vacation knowing your home is in order and ready for your return.