Our Home Safety Checklist for Vacation

Going on vacation should be a relaxing experience, but anyone who’s ever planned a trip knows how stressful vacation preparations can be. From choosing appropriate attire to booking hotels and plane tickets to getting passports and other documents in order, the to-do list is seemingly endless. Thus, home safety precautions often get swept under the rug. While they might seem trivial, these security measures are critical to preventing devastating home damage and robberies.

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If you’re not sure where to start, no worries! We have a comprehensive home safety checklist to help you prepare for going away. Before you depart, here are 15 crucial steps to secure your house while you’re off vacationing!

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Home Safety Precautions to Take When Going on Vacation

During a restful vacation, the only thing you should be worried about is enjoying your time to the fullest, not whether or not your house is secure. Ensure your home stays safe while you’re away with these 15 tips!

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1. Put Your Lights on a Timer 

Turn off all the lights in your home to avoid wasting energy while you’re away. However, putting one or two lights on a programmable timer will make your house look occupied and deter potential burglars. 

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2. Unplug All Cords

Unplugging all unnecessary electronic devices and appliances while you’re on vacation will help reduce energy waste and prevent fire risks. This includes lamps, TVs, gaming consoles, coffee makers, microwaves, air purifiers, fans, desktop computers, charging adapters, and more.

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3. Clear Weeds and Brush Around Your House

When weeds and brush pile up around your home, they pose a serious fire hazard, not to mention they can allow unwanted pests to find entry into your house! To avoid coming home to a critter-filled abode or a potentially devastating fire, clear away accumulated dead leaves and weeds around your foundation before leaving.

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4. Lock All Doors and Windows

Burglars often prey on vacationers when looking for houses to steal from because an empty home makes for easy access. Don’t make yourself an easy target by leaving your doors and windows unlocked. Before you go, double-check that every entry point into your home is secure.

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5. Set Your Security System

Every homeowner and renter should have a security system. Whether leaving for a month-long road trip or simply going on a quick grocery run, having a security alarm will help protect your home from potential break-ins. As a precautionary measure, you can also contact your security company before leaving to inform them how long you’ll be away. They may be able to enable “vacation mode” features on your system and watch your home more vigilantly. 

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6. Toss Perishable Food 

Perishable foods that will expire before you return home should be disposed of before you depart for your trip. Additionally, leaving rotting fruit or vegetables on your kitchen counter or fridge can attract unwanted pests.

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7. Empty the Trash

Garbage left to sit too long in your home is also a magnet for unwanted critters, such as ants, mice, and other creepy crawlies. Before setting off, empty all trash cans, including those in the bathrooms, bedrooms, and especially the kitchen.

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8. Mow Your Lawn

When choosing homes to target, burglars look for signs that the inhabitants are away, including an unkempt lawn. To ensure everything about your house looks like business as usual, trim your lawn before leaving. Also, if you’re away for more than a week, have a neighbor, friend, or landscaping company mow your lawn in your absence to keep your home looking lived-in.

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9. Adjust Your Thermostat

The last thing anyone wants to come home to after a relaxing vacation is a house that’s either frigid or steaming hot. Set your thermostat close to the outside temperature to keep your home comfortable while still conserving energy during your trip. This will also help protect your furniture, plants, and pets from temperature risks.

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10. Check Your Smoke Detectors

Ensure your smoke detectors have functioning batteries and are working correctly before leaving. If a fire starts in your home while you’re gone, smoke detectors will alert your neighbors so they can get to safety and call the fire department. Some smoke detectors can connect to your home security system, meaning your security company will contact the fire department if the alarm goes off while you're away and notify you of any home dangers.

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11. Turn off the Water Valves

Before leaving for vacation, turn off your main water supply to avoid coming home to water damage from leaks or burst pipes; if you don’t want to turn the water off completely, at least shut off the valves for major appliances like your toilets, sinks, washing machine, refrigerator, and dishwasher.

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12. Pause Your Mail

An overflowing mailbox is a dead giveaway that you’re away from home, opening you up to becoming a burglary target. Additionally, people looking to steal your information may be able to find sensitive details like your birthday, medical records, or banking information by going through your mail. Have a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member pick up your mail for you while you’re away, or notify your post office to hold your mail until you return.

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13. Park Your Car in the Garage

Keep your car in the garage while you’re away to reduce the theft risk and prevent storm damage. This is especially important during the winter and summer, as leaving your car exposed to extreme temperatures and weather can cause internal and external damage.

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14. Check Your Appliances

You should always turn off your appliances before leaving for vacation. Not only can large appliances like your washing machine and clothes dryer rack up your energy bill, but they can also present a risk of water or fire damage.

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15. Secure Your Valuables

While on vacation, your valuables are most secure in a fireproof safe. However, if you don’t have one, you can hide valuable items like expensive jewelry and essential documents in discreet places around your home to make them less visible to potential burglars.

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Your vacation should be a stress-free time of rest and relaxation, so don’t spend it worrying about the safety of your home! With these 15 tips, you can keep your house secure and breathe easy while you're on vacation.

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A Better Living Experience

At Bridge Homes, we believe everyone deserves a quality home. With thousands of new or renovated home rentals in desirable neighborhoods across the United States, our dedicated team ensures each property adheres to our standards of quality, cleanliness, and safety. Explore our listings and take the first step towards a well-maintained and fulfilling living experience.

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Additional Sources:

Essential Home Checklist: What to Do Before You Go on Vacation

Leaving on Vacation? Get Your Home Ready With Our Checklist!

Preparing Your House for Vacation: A Checklist

The Ultimate Pre Vacation Home Checklist

Vacation Home Preparation Checklist

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