Vacation Checklist

Maximize your relaxation with this vacation checklist

When you’re laying by the pool, are you worrying that you forgot to lock the back door? Instead of having a great time with your kids, are you trying to remember what you set the thermostat to?

Nothing can ruin your time away as quickly as worrying about what’s going on at home. Skip the stress by employing a little common sense and by using this vacation checklist for your home.

• Don’t advertise that you’re going out of town. If
  you discuss your travel plans in public or on social
  media, you’re letting an uncontrolled audience know
  more than they should.
• Use timers on your lights, TV or radio to make it
  appear as if normal activities are going on inside.
  These timer switches are fairly inexpensive, can be
  picked up at any hardware store and you only need
  a few to complete the illusion that the house is
  occupied. Set them a day or two in advance to ensure
  that they’re working properly before you leave.
• Leave your blinds and curtains in their normal
  positions. It may seem counter intuitive to allow
  people to see inside your home, but burglars can be
  attracted to houses with curtains that are drawn at
  all hours.
• Depending on the season, you may want to ask a
  neighbor or engage a service to mow your lawn
  or shovel your driveway. An untended yard and/
  or driveway in a row of tended-to homes can be an
  obvious sign that you’re away.
• Stop your mail and newspapers. An oldie but a
  goodie! The post office can hold your mail for a
  specified amount of time, and your newspaper
  deliveries can also be temporarily stopped. You can
  also ask a reliable neighbor, friend or family member
  to pick up your mail and newspapers while you’re
  away.
• If you’re not taking your car, leave it in the driveway
  rather than parking it in the garage. It’s an easy way
  to make your house look inhabited. Also, if you have a
  remote garage door opener, unplug the unit inside so
  that no one can use the door to gain access to your
  home.
• Turn your thermostat down in the winter and up in
  the summer to save money, but don’t turn either off
  completely. Believe it or not, heating and cooling
  systems can be heard from outside your home and can
  signal that you’re absent if they’re conspicuously not
  in use.
• Don’t reveal your home address on your luggage tags.
  While attaching labels with your name and address is
  a great way to keep your baggage safe when you’re
  flying, if burglars can see your address, they may take
  the opportunity to break into your house while they
  know you’re away.
• Share your contact information and the dates you’ll
  be away with a neighbor you trust. Having someone
  close by that knows how to get in touch with you is
  a must. Also, if you have an alarm service, make sure
  you’ve notified them of your trip and how to contact
  you. Depending on the size of the town you live in, you
  could do the same with your local police force.
• Plan ahead to ensure your bills are paid before your
  departure. It’s always a great idea to notify your bank/
  credit card company where you’ll be so that suddenly
  using your cards in a new state or foreign country
  doesn’t cause your account to be frozen.

A little advance planning can ensure that your vacation is as fun and relaxing as it can be.