Protecting Your Home While You're Away

Our lion may look menacing, but he won't do much
to keep out trespassers.

In the excitement of planning and leaving for your big trip, small details may go overlooked-such as preparing your home for your return. However, there are simple steps you can take to prevent household trouble while you're gone.

Keep it Clean

• Eat or throw out any food that may go bad while you're gone. There's nothing worse than returning to a mystery smell you then have to hunt for.
• Clean up. Personally, I love coming home to a clean house and room after a trip. I make my bed, do my dirty laundry, clean the kitchen, etc. It helps you keep the vacation alive a little longer when you don't come home to chores.

Keep it Safe

• Check smoke alarms and any other alarms to make sure they are in working order.
• Make sure any electronics are off and unplug appliances. This will also help you save money on your electric bill while you're gone.
• Don't leave any water running. Double check all faucets and toilets.
• Ask a neighbor to put your garbage and recycling cans out on trash day, then put them back where they belong.
• If you have an alarm, don't forget to set it before you go. If you don't have an alarm, ask a friend or neighbor to check on the house once in a while for anything out of the ordinary.
• Leave a light or two on in the house to make it look lived in. For an added expense you can also install motion detector lights or a timer.
• Stop your mail and newspaper delivery or arrange for someone to pick them up.
• Mow the lawn before you go. If you'll be away for a while, keep the landscapers coming or hire a neighbor.
• Lock all of the doors and windows. When you finally depart and lock the front door, do something different like sing a song, do a dance, or say "I'm locking the door!" out loud. That way you won't panic when you think you forgot to.
• Don't announce your departure on social media sites or on your voicemail or answering machine.

Pets & Plants

Make arrangements for your pets if they won't be making the trip with you. Drop them off at a kennel, with friends or family, or arrange to have someone come in to feed them and let them out. Have someone water your plants while you're away too if you don't want to come home to a plant cemetery.

Final Tip:
Have some packaged snacks ready in case you return home late and hungry.

Fun Fact: Another way to keep burglars out of your home is to make it as confusing as possible. Your fun fact today is also one of the destinations on my bucket list. In the 1800's Sarah Winchester, heir to the Winchester rifle fortune, began building a large Victorian mansion in San Jose, California. She was a spiritualist and regularly held seances in her home. However, she was worried that spirits would follow her as she moved throughout her home, so with the help of her carpenter, John Hansen, she built a confusing house consisting of staircases that lead right to the ceiling, doors to nowhere and hidden passageways that appeared with the push of a button. Today, you can tour the Winchester Mystery House, but buy tickets ahead of time because it is a popular destination for tourists.

Thanks for reading everyone! Don't forget to check out the Pinterest board for this post with more tips!

See you next time,
Sam