Last Updated on August 28, 2024 by Gardens Home Management Services
If you have a vacation home in Southern Florida and need to ensure that it’s secure and in the best possible state to be closed and unoccupied for several months throughout the year, you can benefit from the services of a professional home management services team. If you are set on preparing the vacation home yourself, there are a few things that you will need to consider and pay attention to:
- If you want to avoid a flooded vacation home, turn the water off at the inlet source to the house. There are items such as water heaters and ice-makers that can flood the home.
- Ensure that there is no food left behind that can attract insects and other pests.
- To ensure that it is more secure, have a lamp or two set to a timer so that there is the appearance of someone being home.
- Unplug all appliances and equipment that does not absolutely have to be in use while you are away.
- Close all toilet lids and plug all drains so that nothing can enter the home via these points.
- Place new batteries in all fire and smoke detectors.
- Ensure that the garage door is closed and in the lock position.
- Consider setting a home maintenance contract in place so that your air conditioners can be checked regularly, your plumbing and electrical systems monitored, your landscape and pool tended to and general security checks carried out.
How to Keep Your Home Safe While on Vacation
Preparing for a vacation is not only about packing your bags and arranging your activities. It is also essential to ensure that your home stays safe and protected when you are away so that you can enjoy the trip calmly. Here’s a complete guide to assist you in getting ready, both outside and inside your house, before starting on the journey of adventure.
How to Prepare The Exterior of Your Home For Vacation
- Make Sure the Outside Is Clean and Maintained
A neat exterior appearance can be a solid deterrent to potential burglars. Before you go, take some time to cut down any excessive bushes and trees. Large growths of foliage may provide hiding spots for burglars trying to enter your home. A clean and organized yard shows the house is well-maintained and frequently looked after. In the summer, ask for help cutting your grass. It’s a big sign that nobody is at home if it gets long. Consider hiring us for pressure washing services in Florida to give your home a fresh look.
- Have the Post Office Hold Your Mail
One clear sign of a house being left alone is when the mailbox is full. Before you go, you should tell the post office not to deliver your mail so it doesn’t gather up and show that no one is there at home. You can easily set this up online or by visiting your local post office.
- Arrange for Someone to Keep an Eye on Your Home
Give a trusted neighbor or friend your travel schedule and ask them to watch any odd activities near your place. This assistance of having people look after the house occasionally can bring additional safety and peace of mind for you. Moreover, they can take out or bring in the trash bins if your journey aligns with removal days; this stops further signs that nobody is home.
How to Prepare The Interior of Your Home For Vacation
- Make Your Home Seem Lived In
Giving the impression that someone is inside the house can significantly discourage burglars. It’s advisable to switch a few lights on, but don’t leave the same lights on throughout your journey. Use timers or intelligent lighting applications to turn lights off and then back on at diverse intervals; this will make it seem like people are walking about indoors.
Consider changing your blinds for a more natural appearance. If you usually keep them open, it might be a good idea to continue doing so. However, if privacy or people looking in are concerns, closing them could work better for you.
- Protect Your Valuables
Keep your valuable items, important papers, and delicate details in a safe, or use a safe deposit box. If this is not possible, hide these things in less noticeable places around the house, like kitchen cupboards, pantries, or children’s rooms—this might make it harder for thieves to locate them.
- Save on Your Electric and Gas Bills
Switch off electronics such as TVs, computers, and kitchen appliances. This saves on electricity and helps to protect them from damage caused by power surges. Adjust the thermostat in your home to save money on heating or cooling expenses. Setting it at 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer is usually safe, but you can also turn it off entirely. Set it at a minimum of 50 degrees during the winter to avoid pipes freezing.
- Clean Out the Fridge
You don’t want to find bad smells or rotten food when you return. Clean your fridge before leaving. Use, freeze, or throw away items that easily get spoiled, such as dairy products and fresh produce. This basic action ensures that you come back to a neat and good-smelling house.
- Amp Up Your Security
Lock all windows and doors before you go away. If there is a home security system, ensure it’s armed. If one isn’t available, think about displaying signs that imply you have this system, like “beware of dog” or decals related to security systems. It is better to give a spare key to a neighbor or friend than hide it outside your house, as burglars could discover this.
- Avoid Posting About Your Trip on Social Media
Although it may be appealing to share details of your vacation as they happen, it is wiser to hold off and do this after you have come back home. Putting up posts about your trip can notify possible burglars that there’s nobody at home. Keep all the things you want to post or update saved for when you get back so that the safety of your house remains protected.
Your chosen home maintenance team will be able to respond to any emergencies, such as vandalism, fire outbreak, or the alarm being activated. In addition to that, it’s nice to have professionals available to hurricane proof your home if a storm is on the way.
Let Us Help You Safeguard Your Vacation Home While You’re Away
At Gardens Home Management Services, we ensure that your vacation home in Southern Florida is well taken care of while you’re away. What better way to start your vacation than to return to a home that’s just as well cared for as if you’re living there permanently. For more information and advice and to learn more about booking us to care for and maintain your home while you’re away, contact us today.