Exploring new locations, reestablishing relationships with loved ones, and getting away from the grind of daily life are all made possible by travel.
However, leaving the house alone can be a major source of stress for a lot of people. Your attention may be diverted from the thrill of your trip by persistent worries about natural disasters, break-ins, or unforeseen accidents.
The good news is that you can travel with assurance knowing your home is safe and secure if you plan and take preventative action.
We will explore a thorough method of travel-proofing your house in this guide, which will cover everything from improving security to guarding against environmental threats, giving you peace of mind while you’re away.
Boost the Security of Your House
The possibility of break-ins is one of the main worries for any homeowner when they travel. Start by making sure all of your home’s entryways—including windows, doors, and sliding glass panels—are locked firmly.
For extra security, think about replacing your doors with high-quality deadbolts if they don’t already have them. Your home’s defenses can be strengthened even more with the help of modern security systems.
Numerous of these systems have cameras, motion detectors, and alarms that you can control from anywhere at any time using smartphone apps. Invest in a video doorbell for added security, which can record activity at your front door and provide real-time communication with guests.
Protect Yourself from Environmental Risks
In addition to the risk of burglaries, environmental dangers can seriously harm your house while you’re away. For example, if water leaks are not addressed, they may require expensive repairs.
Turn off the water supply before you leave to avoid leaks or burst pipes. If shutting off the water isn’t an option, look for wear on plumbing fixtures and think about installing leak detectors that can notify you via phone.
To protect non-essential electronics from power surges, which can happen during electrical storms or outages, unplug them. To keep pipes from freezing when you’re traveling in the winter, set your thermostat to a constant setting, typically around 55°F (12°C).
Installing a smart thermostat, which enables remote temperature monitoring and control, will increase safety.
Configure Your Appliance and Light Timers
Because it indicates that no one is home, an unlit house at night can serve as an open invitation to burglars.
Use appliances and light timers to create the appearance that your home is occupied in order to combat this, and think about effective hot water systems that will help you in several different ways.
You can program these timers to simulate your daily routine by setting them to turn lights on and off at different times. Because they can be controlled remotely through apps, smart plugs and bulbs are especially useful because you can make real-time adjustments even when you’re not there.
Set the timers on several lights in various rooms and vary their schedules for a more realistic effect. Likewise, think about using a timer on a radio or TV to simulate activity. This simple yet effective measure can discourage would-be burglars and make your house less desirable as a target.
Inform a Friend or Trusted Neighbor
One of the best ways to travel-proof your house is to have someone keep a close eye on it while you’re away.
Ask a reliable friend or neighbor to check in on your property on a regular basis and let them know about your travel plans. They can take care of things like mail collection, plant watering, and keeping your house’s exterior clean.
Ask them to occasionally park their car in your driveway if you’ll be gone for a long time so that it looks like someone is home. Make sure they have your emergency contact information and an extra key in case something goes wrong.
When Traveling Long Distances, Take Precautions
Making extra arrangements is necessary if your trip lasts longer than a few weeks in order to keep your house safe and clean. To keep your property looking lived-in, for example, hire a lawn care or snow removal service.
An unshoveled driveway or overgrown yard can give the impression that no one is home. Stop the delivery of newspapers and mail to avoid obvious stacks that might draw notice. Make arrangements for your pets’ care well in advance, either by boarding them at a reputable facility or hiring a dependable sitter.
It’s also a good idea to let your local police department know when you’ll be traveling since many of them have vacation watch programs where officers will visit your neighborhood on occasion.
Final Thoughts
Traveling should be an opportunity to unwind and experience new things without worrying about what’s going on at home. You can reduce risks and have a worry-free vacation by completely travel-proofing your house.
Every step you take to make your home safer and more secure, whether it’s upgrading your security system, using smart timers, protecting against environmental dangers, or asking a trusted friend for assistance.