3 Essential Things to Do Before Going on Vacation

You’re relaxing on a tropical beach thousands of miles from home when unwelcome thoughts suddenly disrupt your peaceful vacation. Did I forget to turn off the oven? Is my sump pump working? Are burglars stealing my belongings? Fortunately, it’s easy to banish your worries if you do these three things before you leave your Central New Jersey home.

Don’t Let Burglars Know That Your Home is Unoccupied

Summer is the busiest season for hardworking thieves. In fact, burglaries decline by 11 percent during the winter months, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Burglars look for signs that you’re not home before they strike. If your mailbox is full, or your house remains dark all night, your home may be a target.

You can decrease your risk of a vacation burglary if you take one or more of these steps:

Ask your neighbors or house sitter to bring in the mail, or place a hold mail request with the post office.

Temporarily suspend delivery of local newspapers.

Buy timers that control the lights in your home. Set the timers to turn off the lights in the family room at the time you would normally go to bed.

Don’t give your landscapers time off. Use the same lawn care schedule you follow when you’re at home. An overgrown lawn is an obvious sign that you’re not at home, as is a dry, brown lawn. In addition to asking your neighbors to water your plants, request that they turn on your sprinklers occasionally if your system isn’t automated.

Ensure Appliances Are in Good Working Order

Malfunctioning appliances can cause water damage and fires. Although appliances can break without any warning, strange noises, odors or intermittent problems should be investigated and repaired before your trip for your peace of mind. Do you remember the last time you tested your smoke detector? If it’s been a while, it’s a good idea to ensure that your detectors are in good working order before you leave home.

Avoid floods caused by broken water pipes by turning off water to washing machines and dishwashers. If the flexible hoses used to supply water to these appliances burst, you may return to find your kitchen or family room covered in several inches of water. You never know when a small leak in a faucet or a running toilet will become more than just a nuisance. It’s best to prevent potential disasters by repairing minor issues when they first occur.

Test your sump pump before you leave by slowing pouring a bucket of water in the pit. If the pump doesn’t turn on, or only starts if you jiggle it, call a plumber to service or replace it. Although sump pumps prevent the lowest level of your home with filling up with ground water, they’re not much use if the electricity doesn’t work. Battery-operated or water-powered backup pumps take over for the main pump during power outages, allowing you to enjoy your vacation without worry if storms are in the forecast at home.

Get Connected

Take advantage of technology to keep an eye on your home while you’re away. Many home security systems, whether they’re professionally installed or do-it-yourself options, can be controlled with a smartphone. While you’re away, you can view live images of your home on your phone and even respond to visitors who ring your doorbell. When you integrate your security system with a home automation system, you can also operate the lights, doors, oven and other appliances and control the temperature of your home remotely.

Although it might seem like a good idea to turn off air-conditioning during your trip, rising temperatures may stress your appliances, warp your wood floors or cause moisture buildup in your home.

Social media offers an excellent way to share your life with your friends and relatives, including your vacation plans. Unfortunately, posting vacation photographs or a live trip report can alert thieves that you’re out of town. Even if your accounts are private, burglars may still see your Facebook posts if a mutual friend posts on your account. It’s a much better idea to wait until you return to share your photos and memories.

Taking a few precautions before you leave home can make your vacation stress free. It’s often easiest to integrate a whole-home automation system during the construction of your home. If you’re looking for a brand new home in Central New Jersey, you’ll want to consider Country Classics' new construction home opportunities. Call us today to find out more about our available communities and floor plans.