Things to consider regarding your home when going on a vacation:- Use timers on lights and radios/tv's... Leave blinds open just the slightest to allow the light to shine out.
- Have a neighbor park in your driveway to give the illusion that someone is home.
- Coordinate with a neighbor to make sure your trash cans get out and then get pulled back in if the trash collection happens while you're away. Trash cans left at the curb or not put out on trash day are a dead giveaway that nobody's home.
- Have someone bring in mail, water plants, and care for your pets.
- Turn down the ringer on your phone and the volume on your answering machine.
- Pack your car with the garage door closed. Don't advertise to just anyone driving by that you're planning on leaving your home unoccupied.
- For added security, unplug your garage door opener (after you've gotten your car out of the garage and closed the door again, of course).
- Shut off valves to your washing machine and to toilets and sinks. It's added insurance you won't come home to a flood!
- Open doors to rooms/closets so your house will smell less stuffy when you come home. Don't leave windows open, however.
- Clean out your fridge. Get rid of anything that will be past its usefulness when you get home. Take the garbage all the way out of the house and into the cans that will go out on trash day (see #3).
- Make a plan for your first meal or two after you return. Use shelf-stable items or frozen foods, but have a plan so you don't have to rush to the store first thing the next morning to grab something for breakfast.
- Turn down your thermostat to save energy while you're gone.
- Turn down your thermostat to save energy while you're gone.
- DO NOT announce your absence to your Facebook page, your Twitter, or on your blog. You never know who reads your post, and you don't know who you can trust. Save your posting for after you're home. Better safe than sorry!
What did I miss?? Any other ideas??
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