Traveling is one of the most stress-relieving activities for most people. It is a great way to recharge yourself and eliminate the negative thoughts that have been affecting your focus and self-esteem. Thus, your vacation should be worry-free and relaxing.
With that said, one of the essential things you should do before you book a flight and pack up your suitcase is to plan how to protect your property while you’re away. You should secure your valuable belongings and ensure to leave your home protected against electrical problems and unwanted break-ins.
So, if you are planning to have a long vacation to unwind, here are some of the necessary things that you should do to secure your house before leaving.
Check All Doors and Windows
A week before your travel date, you must check all your doors and windows. Perhaps, there were broken windows and or damaged doorknobs that you didn’t notice. If that’s the case, you have to get it repaired or replaced before you go out of town and leave your house for a couple of days or more.
Moreover, you should make sure that all the points of entry of your home are tightly locked and secured so that no one, especially burglars, can barge into your house while you’re away.
Secure All Your Valuables
If you don’t have a safe deposit box for your jewelry and other valuable belongings, you should get one before you travel, especially when you will not be home for a week or two.
By doing so, you can make sure that all your expensive and valuable things are intact and in a safe place where can’t be easily seen by burglars. It is also an easy way to evaluate your items when you come home — be sure you have a list of what’s inside your safety box or at least memorize all of them.
Unplug Everything to Prevent Power Surges
Aside from the jewelry, cash, and valuable areas of your home, you must also secure and protect your electronics and appliances while on your vacation. Thus, it would be best if you unplugged everything to prevent power surges.
Before leaving your home, you must disconnect the television, computer, refrigerator, stereo, and other electronics, or make sure that your appliances are plugged safely into a surge protector. With that, you will not just save money on your electric bill, but also protect your property from possible electrical problems.
Install an Automatic Thermostat
If you don’t want to come home from vacation having frozen pipes, you should install an automatic thermostat before you travel. If you are away from your house for quite a long time, make sure your pipes, particularly in vulnerable areas such as crawlspaces, basements, and attics, are insulated.
When you travel in unusually cold weather, you should set your thermostat at 55 degrees or more. Furthermore, if you have a trusted friend in your neighborhood, you can ask him or her to stop by and check on your home. It is better if he or she can regularly turn on your faucets to make sure your pipes don’t freeze.
Shut Down Your Water Supply
After you unplug all your appliances and electronics, the next thing you need to do is shut down your water supply. This will prevent water from flooding your home if there are taps that have been left open or leaky faucets that were not addressed before you travel.
Invest in a Home Security System
If you want to enjoy your vacation without worrying about the safety of your property — particularly the valuable items inside your house — you should install a home security system. This investment is a smart choice to have maximum safety when you’re at home and provide tight security for your house when you’re away.
Concerning this, there are various security systems available for your home, including CCTV cameras and alarm monitoring systems. These options provide a level of protection that will fit your budget, safety needs, and preferences.
Moreover, you can discover some of the best systems and automated products in SecurityBaron that are proven effective in securing your home. In addition, you can also do your research and pick the best security systems in your area before you leave and enjoy your travel.
Double or Triple Check All Your Locks Before Leaving
Lastly, on the day of your vacation, you should double or even triple check all your locks before leaving. It is essential to make sure that your house is secured so that there is no way a burglar can get in.
This security measure is one of the must-do before stepping out of your property. It is better to spend some time checking your locks over again than having regrets for not doing so.
Takeaway
If you want to enjoy your travel without receiving an unexpected report of robbery or electrical problems while in the middle of your vacation, you should do the checklist mentioned above. Following these tips could save you a problem later and will let you have a worry-free and relaxing vacation.
Ultimately, installing home security systems may be an expensive investment, but the amount of security and protection you will be getting is worth more than what you’re paying for.
