In this week’s Travel Tip Tuesday, we are sharing key steps to take prior to your next getaway that will ensure your home remains safe and sound as you see the world. These simple, yet effective, preventative measures will keep you worry free over potential problems such as power surges or broken water pipes back home. Focus your time on building life-long memories.

Consider Hiring a House or Pet Sitter

The best way to make sure your house is safe while you’re gone is to have someone you trust living in it. Invite a relative or close friend to temporarily move in and water plants, feed pets, and pick up newspapers off the driveway. House sitting and pet sitting services are available for purchase if needed.

Hold Your Mail & Stop Newspaper Delivery

If your trip will extend beyond a couple of days, call your local post office to request a hold on mail delivery until you are back home. The USPS will hold your mail from three to 30 days, and will do so free of charge. Avoid having a pile of yellowing newspapers out front signaling an empty house by stopping deliveries while you’re out of town.

Make Your Home Look Lived In

An occupied home will exhibit obvious signs of being lived in, such as lights being turned on and off, and cars coming and going. While you’re away, however, the signs of life come to an abrupt stop. Create the illusion of an occupied home by investing in timers that turn on the interior lights for a few hours every evening. Have someone take out your garbage and bring back the cans after garbage pickup. Such actions will avoid anyone taking notice that the house is empty.

Don’t Announce Your Plans

As excited as you may be for your upcoming vacation, be careful about the people with whom you discuss it. Announcing your travel plans on blogs, social media, or anything public facing is something that is best avoided. The less information you put out there, the less likely it is to reach the wrong ears and eyes. Wait until you return home to post and share photos of your adventure.

Pull The Plug On Electronics

Disconnecting the power to electronics such as computers, coffee pots, and televisions will both save you money and eliminate worry about anything that may have unintentionally been left on. Turning off your garage door is also an effective way of keeping out any potential thieves carrying a universal remote. Switch off any GPS unit(s) in your car when using long-term parking at the airport, as it would otherwise alert thieves of your absence and give them a convenient map to your house.

Take extra precautions, lock up, then leave your worries behind. Don’t let the anticipation of a well-deserved vacation blind you to the risks of leaving your home unprotected. Enjoy every moment of your trip.

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