6 Ways to Vacation Proof Your Home

Getting your home ready before vacation doesn't take much time, but a few simple steps can help keep everything safe while you're away. You don't want your trip interrupted by wondering if you closed the garage door or locked the windows. Leaving your home unattended can lead to break-ins, leaks, or costly surprises. Here are our six ways to vacation-proof your home, so you can vacation with complete peace of mind.

1. Start with Home Security Basics

Of course, we all remember to lock the doors and windows when we leave home, but on the day of your departure, take the trouble to walk through your home and literally check that all your doors and windows are closed and locked, including your garage door.

While you are preparing for your vacation, it's a great time to check that all your deadbolts are secure and fully operational. If you need to, go ahead and upgrade any deadbolts that are worn out or door handles that are wobbly or broken. You don't want to invite intruders with a 'dead' bolt (Dad joke intended). It's also a good idea to reinforce any sliding doors or windows.

2. Make It Look Occupied

You want your home to look occupied while you are away. This is the best bet to keep your home safe! You can do this by setting the outside lights on timers. You can also set some indoor lamps on timers in your living room to stay on at night.

Remember to call your local post office and have your mail delivery paused or ask a neighbor to help out. A stuffed or overflowing mailbox is a sure sign that you are out of town.

3. Prevent Water Damage While Away

If you'll be gone for two or more weeks, to prevent indoor flooding from a broken pipe or water heater, be sure to shut off the main water supply to your home. Your main water shut-off valve is typically located in a basement, utility room, or garage. If your shut-off valve is located outdoors, it is most likely near your water meter. Before you go on vacation, check for any leaks in your pipes or dripping faucets and repair them.

4. Adjust the Thermostat

Set your thermostat to a suitable temperature that saves you money for the time of year. You don't want to leave your house too hot or too cold. As a rule of thumb, around 80-85 degrees in the summer or 55-60 degrees in the winter is generally a safe bet. Keep your indoor plants in mind-which may need some extra attention before you go too.

Remember to unplug small appliances such as toasters or coffee makers. Any appliances or electronics that need to remain plugged in, such as TV's or modems, can be plugged into a surge protector.

5. Secure Outside of Home

Check that all your security lighting is working, or come in and purchase some if you don't already have any. Also, secure outdoor equipment in a lock-tite shed. It's a great solution for protecting your investments that don't fit in the garage. We have large and small sheds to store everything from gardening tools to lawn equipment.

For extra peace of mind, you can also purchase security cameras for your home. If you already have some installed, check that they are fully operational before you leave home. If you're feeling ambitious, you can even trim overgrown bushes before your departure. An overgrown bush is a great place for a burglar to hide.

6. Quick Cleaning

Give your house a quick cleaning too, so it greets you with a fresh smell when you return, rather than the smell of old banana peels. Take the trash out (and down to the road if you can) and empty perishables from your fridge and pantry that could spoil while you're away. Run your garbage disposal with a foaming cleaner too. Trash can attract all sorts of critters inside and outside of your home, if left to spoil.

These six small steps, if taken now, can prevent major issues later. You can come home with a great tan and not a great mess to clean up. Stop by your local McCoy’s store to pick up everything you need before your trip, so you can leave your worries behind while you travel the globe!