Your Essential List of Pre-Vacation Home Tasks

With the summer months here, it's prime time for going on vacation. There are a lot of things you need to consider and more things you need to plan before you head off on your vacation. There are tickets to buy, clothing to pack, and travel plans to make. But what about your home? What are you doing to make sure your home is comfortable and secure while you're gone?

The very first thing you need to do is start making lists. You need to make sure you have your tickets, the hotels are booked, the car rentals are ready, and numerous other key tasks are taken care of before you leave. 

Here are four things you need to consider before you head off on your vacation in order to keep your home safe, secure, and running efficiently.

Notify Neighbors or Family

People should know where you're going. Most importantly, people you trust need to know you're going out of town. That way, if neighbors see someone around your home or trying to enter, they'll know something's up. It's also a good time to let your security company know you're heading out of town. This will ensure the company knows that anyone who sets off the alarm is probably not someone who lives there.

Set Your Thermostat

Image via Flickr from midnightcomm

If you've had problems keeping your home cool in the summer or hot in the winter, you may need to get your thermostat fixed or replace it with a programmable thermostat. 

This is important not just for the days when you're at home, but also for the days when you're on vacation. This is because you need to set your thermostat to run while you are gone. Most modern thermostats enable you to set temperatures in advance, to adjust between day and night, and to ensure your cooling system is running efficiently.

To help make sure your home doesn't get too hot while you're away, adjust the blinds and curtains to make sure the sun isn't baking your home. You'll want to leave them open a little, however, so potential thieves don't know you aren't home.

Unplug Electronic Devices

When you have electronic devices plugged in, they're still using some electricity. When you're not using these devices, this is a waste of energy. Going around and unplugging the toaster and other electrical devices while you're away can save you money in the long run. Plus, this reduces the risk of a fire hazard.

Lock Doors and Windows

Before you leave, you need to make sure the house is locked up tight. Make sure all the doors are locked. Go around your home at least twice, and make sure the windows are locked. Ensure that the alarm is set and ready in case someone does try to break in. Make sure valuables are locked away in a safe or off the property

These are just four steps you need to consider when you're heading on vacation. Creating an effective pre-vacation checklist is important. Make sure your home is safe and that it's at the right temperature and running effectively and efficiently. Do this so you can enjoy your vacation without worrying about your home being damaged.