Contact contractors: Inform all contractors you are leaving such as pool, landscaping maintenance, pest control and anyone else making regular visits to your home.
Trim trees: Monsoon winds can cause extensive damage. Trimming trees can help them from being blown over during our summer storms.
Trim shrubs: Trim any shrubbery that may provide cover for burglars especially around doors and windows. This will need to be done several times during the summer months.
Security lights: Check to see that outdoor security lights (motion sensor lights) are functioning properly.
Put fresh batteries in smoke detectors: Most smoke detectors today are hard wired into your electrical system and do not have batteries. If they do, replace them with new batteries.
Replace batteries in your automatic irrigation boxes: You should check the timer(s) at this time to make sure they are correctly set for the time of year you will be absent from the home.
Patio furniture and BBQ: Some owners cover these items or bring them inside. This may keep them from deteriorating while you are gone but it also tells everyone that you’re gone for the season. Do your best not to make this area of your home look obviously vacant.
Pest control: Pest control companies should makes regular visits to your home, both interior and exterior.
Clean fireplace and close damper:
Emergency numbers and keys: A neighbor, friend or relative in the vicinity should have your emergency contact numbers and a key to your home. If there is a problem you will need to be contacted and access to the home will be needed.
Inform neighbors of your departure: The more eyes watching your home the better. You may want to ask your neighbors to park in your driveway occasionally to make it look as if someone is home.
Hide-A-Key: Do not hide keys outside around your entry doors. If you keep a key outside then place it in a locked key box.
Have mail forwarded:
Stop newspaper deliveries:
Front door: Have someone check the front of your home for newspapers, flyers and other junk and have them sweep the entry on occasion. It is very easy to spot homes that are vacant by what has been left untouched in the front entry not to mention months’ worth of leaves and dirt.
Answering machines: Don’t ever announce your departure to the whole world.
Landscaping: Landscaping needs to look as if you are home, especially the front. Your neighbors will be happier as well.
Utilities: You may want to put your phone, internet and cable on seasonal hold. Be sure that your alarm system will still work with your phone on seasonal hold.
Computer printers: Inks in your printer can dry out and actually ruin your printer. You may want to consult with your printer company as to the best way to store your printer for extended periods.
Change or clean air filter: Replace your air filter or clean it if it is a reusable. If you are turning off the air conditioning then this is not necessary but still a good idea. You won’t have to do it when you return.
Dry foods: If you are leaving for months at a time it is best to do something with your dry foods. You can place them into a plastic bin that closes securely and you can also leave them in your refrigerator if you are leaving it on. You might want to put your candles in the refrigerator as well.
Shutters, blinds and curtains: Close all shutters, blinds and curtains except in rooms where you have lights on timers or a TV being turned on and off. Leave the window coverings in any of those rooms slightly open so that the light can be seen from the outside.
Garage Door: Bolt the door closed (If equipped) and then unplug the motor to your opener. Do not disconnect the door from the track or else the door can be opened from the outside.
Lock your car(s): Hide all car keys and extra door keys in a safe place.
Car batteries: Disconnect your car batteries while you are gone. Have someone start and run your car(s) every couple weeks.
Batteries: Take batteries out of your wireless phones, remote controls, flashlights and other electronics that are not going to be used during your absence.
Clean your home thoroughly: Don’t leave behind anything for pests to eat. Pay special attention to your kitchen appliances and cupboards.
Laundry: This is personal but it is best to wash all your sheets, towels, dish towels, rags and clothing that are staying at the home. At minimum, strip beds and put all the dirty laundry in a hamper or plastic bag until you return.
Turn main water valve off: You can either turn your water off at the main shutoff on the outside of the home or you can do it under every sink and toilet listed below. Unfortunately neither one is the perfect method. What you do will depend on how you are closing other systems such as your hot water and sprinkler system. You fire sprinkler system may be affected as well. If you do not turn off the main valve then turn the water off at the following locations:
Turn off hot and cold valves under all sinks:
Turn off valve behind all toilets:
Turn off the hot and cold valves for washing machine:
Turn off the water line to the refrigerator:
Unplug all items with cords: Lamps, nightlights, coffee maker, toaster, toaster oven, washer and dryer, TV and other electronics, anything plugged in your bathroom, computers, printers, and other office items.
Garbage disposal: Pour the ice from the refrigerator ice maker into the disposal as it is running to clean it out.
Turn off your refrigerator ice maker and empty the tray:
Turn off refrigerator: There are several schools of thought on this. If you turn it off then clean it and leave the doors open. If you leave it on, clean it, turn it to its lowest settings and keep some nonperishable items in it such as soda, water and dry foods. This helps it work more efficiently.
Garbage: Empty all waste baskets and garbage. If you are not going to be home to bring your garbage dumpster back inside your fence or in your garage then have a neighbor do it.
Turn off hot water heater: Again there are those who would tell you to keep it on all year but by all means turn the thermostat(s) down. If you have a circulator pump then turn it off.
Turn the air conditioning up to 90 degrees or turn off the system: If you have items stored in your home that would be affected by the heat then you might want to keep your air conditioning running at least a little. The high heat may not be good for plants, paintings, pictures, candles but to name a few. It can get very warm in your home in the middle of the summer.
Secure all doors and windows: Put wooden dowel rods in all windows and sliding doors. Make sure all are locked as well. If you have deadbolt locks with keys make sure you don’t leave any keys in them. Lock the garage door between the house and the garage.
Keep a couple lights on: Use automatic timers or keep a few lights on at all times. It would be best if these could be changed periodically and the bulbs may very well burn out and need replaced.
TV or radio: A TV emits an ever changing light especially when seen from outside. If you have a TV you can place on a timer and turn it on every evening for a few hours this would be a big deterrent to burglars. A radio works well but they will have to be close enough to hear it. They can see the TV light from a block away.
Turn on alarm system: Notify alarm company of your departure date.
Dishwasher and washing machine: Open the doors of both to air out. You may need to sponge out any water left in the bottom of the dishwasher. Mold could form in these damp environments. It is best to run these appliances every month to keep the seals from drying out.
Toilets: Flush all your toilets 3 to 4 times in a row to clear all your drains. This keeps toilet paper and waste from getting stuck in the drains and drying out while you are gone. When you return these are hard as a rock and may be blocking your pipes. Close the toilet seat and put plastic wrap over the seat and the bowl to keep the water from evaporating. It is best to run water through your toilet ever few weeks.
Sinks, showers and bathtubs: Close stoppers to keep the water in the drains from evaporating. This may also keep pests out. Again it is best to run water through all your drains every couple of weeks.
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