Preparing for a trip can be very stressful especially if you’re leaving your home for a long period. The last thing you want is to worry that maybe you forgot to throw out the trash or clean out your fridge. If you’re wondering how to prepare your home for an upcoming trip, keep reading.
How to Prepare Your Home for an Upcoming Trip
Keeping your home clean and organized is is more important before an upcoming trip because it will allow you to have peace of mind and relax while you travel. So, what steps can you take to ensure your house is organized while you’re away?
Hire a House Sitter
A house sitter will help you keep your home clean, especially if you’re leaving your pets behind. They can also minimize the stress your pets feel when you’re gone. If you’re a pet owner, this idea will also make you feel less concerned that you’re pets are not alone. You will enjoy your trip without worrying about your pets.
It can also be relaxing to know that someone is at home performing the daily chores you’d need to do when you come back. Remember 37% of travelers cancel their trip due to stress, so it’s important to stay as relaxed as possible.
Stop Your Deliveries
If you’re going to be away for a long period, suspend your mail and newspaper deliveries or ask your local post office to put your mail on hold. Not doing this can cause your mail to pile up and alert burglars by signaling them that you’re not at home.
Taking this safety precaution is essential as it can protect your home. So, it’s a good idea to ask a relative, or friend to collect your mails to avoid attracting potential burglars.
Install Lights on Timers
Putting lights around your home can prevent break-ins. Using smart bulbs is a great option because they can allow you to put the lights on different schedules every day and control them remotely while you are away to make it look like someone is at home.
You can also put your apartment on vacation mode using a smart plug and put your radio or TV on a schedule. This will convince your neighbors that you’re at home because the TV will be on for a few minutes every day in the evening while the lights will be on a schedule.
Clean Your Refrigerator
Check your fridge to see if there’s any perishable food that you can throw or give away such as milk that’s about to reach its expiration date. You can also eat or froze anything that can spoil when you’re away to avoid coming home to a refrigerator with rotten food.
While cleaning your fridge, empty your trash cans and throw away the garbage before leaving for your trip. If you fail to do this, you risk coming to a house that’s smelly and infested with pests.
Change Your Thermostat Settings
Adjusting your thermostat to an away program is an excellent way of saving energy when you’re away enjoying a guided nature walk. Most modern thermostats have functionality that allows you to change temperature settings when you’re on vacation.
It will reduce the temperature during winter for heating and increase the temperature during summer for cooling. Before you come back home, disable the away setting hours to enjoy a heated or cooled home.
Lock Your Doors and Windows
Before leaving for your vacation, ensure your doors and windows are secured and locked. Also, check any entry points around your house. Double-check locks to ensure they are locked well.
You should also check doors and windows you rarely use and lock them since you can forget about them easily. Such entry points can make it easy for thieves to use and break into your house and if you’re a pet owner it’ll stop little Skippy or Spot from getting lost.
Conclusion
Try the above home preparation tips before leaving for your trip to enjoy a stress-free holiday. Now, start packing your luggage knowing that your home and belongings are safe.
