Summertime is coming | Things to think about when leaving your home for a vacation

With the summertime approaching, many of us are contemplating or planning our summer vacations. Consider these guidelines before departing.

PLAN IN ADVANCE

• Ask a neighbor to keep an eye on the property. If possible, provide them with a way to reach you while you are away.
• If you’ll be gone for an especially long time-usually more than two weeks-consider arrangements for a house sitter, who can come and go from the house at their convenience.
• Arrange for someone to move the lawn.
• Notify the local police department of the dates you will be away.
• Stop the mail, newspaper, and any other deliveries.
• Use lighting timers.
• Confirm that all insurance policies that cover the property and your belongings are current and provide sufficient coverage.

AS YOU LEAVE

• Forward phone calls to a relative or close friend.
• Unplug computers and other electronic devices that might be harmed in the event of an electrical storm.
• Leave window coverings in their most typical positions.
• Confirm that all doors and windows are locked and deadbolts are engaged.
• Consider shutting off the water supply to the house, but do not shut off water to sprinkler systems. Consider turning down the thermostat on water heaters shortly before you leave.
• Store outdoor items, such as your lawn mower, bicycles or ladders in the garage.
• If possible leave a second car in the driveway.
• Disengage the garage door opener-pull on the rope that hangs from the mechanism, and use the manufacturer’s lock, to lock the system down. Upon return simply unlock the system and push the inside button to re-engage the motor, it will reconnect the door automatically.
• Turn your air conditioner fan to ON and set the thermostat to 78. This selection will continue to allow air to move freely throughout the home without utilizing the cooling portion of the air conditioner frequently, thus saving you money on your utility bill.
• If applicable, arm your security system and if your system is monitored, notify your monitoring agency of your vacation plans.

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