Vacation time! But as you get ready to hit the slopes, beach, or town, don’t forget to ensure you protect your house while you’re away. Vacation is a time to relax, so think about how relaxed you’ll be if you don’t have to worry about the potential of fire, flood, freezing cold, or any number of other issues while you’re gone. Here’s a quick list of four things to remember before you go on vacation. Walk around your home and check off each one before you start up the car or board the plane. You’ll be glad you did.
Set the Thermostat
If you’re not home, you don’t need things to be too warm or cool, so you should set your thermostat to a reasonable temperature when you’re gone. In cold weather, you need to stop the pipes from freezing and bursting, while in the summer, you must prevent too much humidity and the spread of mold and mildew. Think of any pets that are staying at home as well and keep them comfortable and safe. Setting your thermostat to a reasonable temperature should keep your utility bills down as well. No need to pay for what you don’t use!
Mind the Mail and Newspapers
You have two great options to keep your mailbox from overflowing while you’re away. The first is to ask a neighbor to collect and hold onto your mail or to give them a key so that they can stack it somewhere inside. The second is to ask the local post office to put a hold on it. They’ll collect it at the facility for up to 30 days and deliver it when the time is up. Stopping newspaper delivery while you’re gone is smart, too. Do both to prevent your home from looking unoccupied, as that would make it a target for break-ins.
Tip-Off the Bank and Credit Card Companies
Whether you’re leaving the country or just traveling a few states away, let your bank and credit card companies know you’re going to be on the road and where you’re going. This will keep any fraud prevention protections from kicking in when you make purchases in a new and unfamiliar place. Keep a picture or photocopy of your cards and the cards’ customer service numbers handy in case you lose them or have them stolen. This way, you can immediately cancel them before anyone runs up charges.
Call Your Phone Provider
Here’s the last of our four things to remember before you go on vacation. Talk to your phone service provider and let them know you’re traveling and where to. You may face the sticker shock of seeing your phone bill after returning from overseas. Many companies can work out deals for better and cheaper service while you travel. Speaking of your phone, don’t rely on it too much. Print out directions, receipts, hotel locations, reservation confirmations, and similar important information so that you have it available. Your phone can run out of juice, get lost, or fail to provide service, so be ready to go analog at a moment’s notice!
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Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
