Leaving your vacation home for an extended period of time? Here are some handy home security tips to keep in mind:
-If water damage is a major concern, main water valves should be shut. Open all water faucets to relieve pressure in the lines.
-To minimize damage caused by mold and mildew, set your air conditioner to 70 degrees. Ensure that the condensate drain line is clear. Clean or replace the air filter before you leave your home.
-Make sure to unplug all electrical devices, including TVs, telephones, lamps, etc.
-Leave bedspreads and blankets off of beds. If you have a sleeper couch, open it up, stand up the pillows, and leave all doors and cabinets open for air to circulate.
-Make sure the smoke detector is working and batteries are in good condition.
-Remove all movable objects from porches and patios. This helps protect against burglaries.
-Close drapes and blinds.
-Stop newspaper delivery and don’t forget to notify the post office for mail forwarding.
-If you have storm shutters, put them in place, unless your association does not allow them to be in place if a storm is not approaching.
It is important to have a reputable Home Watch company who can check on your home’s security on a regular basis while you are away. Your Home Watch company should have a checklist to go through to make sure that everything in your home is safe and secure.
These precautions are all things a homeowner should take before vacating their home for an extended period of time.
