Starting to pack for your summer vacation? Whether you are going 20 or 1,000 miles away from your home, for a weekend or 4 weeks, you should always do these certain things before you lock that door and head out for your vacation. These tips will help you have a more relaxed vacation and reduce the chances of coming home to a disaster within your home. Safety should always be your number one priority.
Unplug All Electronics
Even if you are not using the device plugged in, still unplug it. This will lower your electricity bill and prevent any electrical fires that may happen while you are away. Nothing would be worse than getting a call from your neighbor that your house is on fire. Electrical fires start around 51,000 fires and cause $1.3 billion in property damage per year, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation (ESFI). Even the littlest electronic device can start the worst fire. Unplug everything!
Turn Off Main Water Supply
Turning off your main water supply while you’re away may seem unnecessary however preventing any water damage is essential. Water damage can result in costly damage fees. Leaks can happen at any time and if you are not home to treat the leak then it will just continue to grow and keep damaging items within your household. On the topic of water, if your home is not already insured with flood insurance make sure to do so just in case there is a flood while you are away. Don’t delay: Flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period on most new policies.
Prevent Break-Ins
Words going around town that you are going away for a summer vacation, you should try to avoid a home invasion at all costs. Suspend your mail or get a trustworthy neighbor to collect it for you. A stack of mail can be very obvious that you are out of town. Another obvious clue to an empty home is your lights being off at all times. Timers on lamps are a great way to make an illusion that someone is home. Try not to post on social media that you are away because it is a clear indication of an empty house. If you plan on posting make sure it is private and only people you fully trust can view it. Most importantly, check to make sure every door is locked and all the windows are shut.
Keep Bugs Away
Even though you are probably very busy packing for your trip, you always want to make sure you give yourself time to clean your home. Not only will it make you feel better once you get back, but it will also help keep bugs and rodents from entering your home. Do the dishes, clean out your fridge, and take out the trash.
Adjust Your AC
In the summer months you definitely do not want to shut off your AC completely, you want to have enough air flow so that the humidity in your home stays low. However, to save some money on your electrical bill, adjust the thermostat a few degrees higher than normal.
Review Your Homeowners Policy
You want to make sure you’ve reviewed your homeowner’s insurance policy recently, it is recommended to do so once a year to confirm your coverage. If you’ve recently bought some new valuable items like jewelry, furs or electronics or made any additions to your home, this may affect your policy.
Enjoy Your Stress-Free Vacation
After completing all those tasks before walking out your door for your summer vacation, you will be less worried about something bad happening to your home. Peoples Trust Insurance wants to ensure that you have a great vacation while your home is safe, so sit back, relax and enjoy your time away from home!