Picture this: You’re finally sitting on a beach, a cold drink in hand, listening to the waves crash. You close your eyes, take a deep breath, and then—bam. A sudden wave of panic hits.
Did I actually close the garage door? Did I lock the back patio? Is the kitchen garbage going to smell like a landfill when we get back?
There is nothing quite like home-related anxiety to ruin a perfectly good vacation vibe. We spend so much time packing bags, checking flight statuses, and planning itineraries that we often rush out the front door, leaving our homes vulnerable to high energy bills, break-ins, or worst of all, plumbing disasters.
Before you head out for your summer getaway, give yourself the ultimate gift of total relaxation. Take 20 minutes to run through this practical, stress-reducing checklist to prep your house so you can leave with absolute peace of mind.
1. Shut Off the Main Water Valve
If you only do one thing on this list, make it this one. Hidden water leaks are the absolute number one cause of catastrophic home insurance claims while homeowners are away. A burst pipe or a failed washing machine hose can flood an entire house in a matter of hours.
- What to do: Locate your home’s main water shut-off valve (usually in the basement, garage, or near the street) and turn it off completely. Then, open a faucet to drain the remaining pressure from the lines. It’s best to also turn off your water heater, along with the main water supply. Turning off the source of the heat (gas, electric) while you’re away will not damage your water heater.
- Bonus: You can completely skip the anxiety of coming home to a surprise indoor swimming pool.
2. Set the Thermostat to a Safe “Away” Temp (78°F)
Don’t completely turn off your air conditioning system while you’re gone. In the peak of summer, an uncooled house can trap extreme humidity, which can warp hardwood floors, ruin drywall, and invite mold growth.
- What to do: Set your thermostat to a steady 78°F or 80°F. This is high enough to save you a massive chunk of money on your next energy bill, but cool enough to keep the humidity under control and protect your indoor plants.
3. Fake an Active House with Smart Timers
A completely dark house for a week straight is an open invitation to burglars. However, leaving your porch light on 24/7 is also a dead giveaway that no one is home.
- What to do: Grab a few inexpensive smart plugs or timers and plug them into lamps in major rooms (like the living room and master bedroom). Set them to turn on and off at random times throughout the evening to make the home look naturally occupied.
4. Evict the Perishables and Clean the Disposal
There is no welcome-home present quite like opening your front door to a mystery smell. Kitchens are notorious for harboring odors when left sealed up in the summer heat.
- What to do: Toss out any milk, produce, or leftovers that will expire while you’re away. Finally, pour a half cup of baking soda and some vinegar down your garbage disposal, let it fizz, and run it with hot water for 30 seconds to flush out any lingering food particles.
Quick Tip: Don’t forget to actually take the kitchen trash out to your exterior bins before you lock up!
5. Unplug “Vampire” Electronics
Even when turned off, things like TVs, gaming consoles, coffee makers, and desktop computers constantly draw small amounts of electricity just by being plugged into the wall.
- What to do: Walk through the house and unplug non-essential electronics. Not only will this save you a few bucks on your power bill, but it also completely protects your expensive electronics from summer lightning storms and power surges.
6. Disconnect the Automatic Garage Door
Tech-savvy thieves have found ways to clone code grabbers to open older automatic garage doors. Additionally, it’s surprisingly easy to accidentally press your car’s built-in garage button while it’s parked in the driveway.
- What to do: Unplug the physical power cord for your automatic garage door opener mechanism. This mechanically locks the door in place, meaning no one can open it electronically until you get back and plug it back in.
7. Give a Neighbor a “Heads Up”
No matter how secure your home is, nothing beats a trusted set of human eyes.
- What to do: Shoot a quick text to a neighbor you trust. Let them know the exact dates you’ll be gone, what cars should (and shouldn’t) be in the driveway, and ask them to grab any unexpected packages that get delivered to your porch.
Safe Travels!
Your home is your sanctuary, and taking a few minutes to protect it means you can focus entirely on making memories, exploring new places, and getting the rest you deserve.
