Review your checklist before heading out for vacation (Photo: Envato)
You're buzzing with excitement as you pack your bags and double-check your itinerary, but there's one more crucial step before you can truly relax and enjoy your vacation: preparing your home. Whether you're heading out for a brief getaway or a special Pesach vacation, making sure your home is safe and maintained in your absence is essential. This comprehensive checklist is designed to cover not just general vacations but also includes specific considerations for Pesach. By ensuring your home's safety and readiness, you can depart with peace of mind, knowing everything is in order back home, allowing you to fully immerse in the joys of your holiday.
General Vacation Checklist
- Mail and Newspapers: If your vacation extends beyond a week, consider stopping your mail and newspapers or asking a neighbor to collect them. Accumulated mail can signal to potential burglars that the house is empty.
- Lighting: Install programmable timers to control your lights, creating the illusion that the home is occupied. Modern timers can randomize lighting schedules for added security.
- Vehicle Security: Park your car in the garage to protect it from theft and weather-related damage.
- Climate Control: Avoid turning off your HVAC system entirely. For summer departures, set your A/C to about 10 degrees below the outside temperature to prevent overworking appliances. During winter, keep your heating at around 55 degrees to avoid freezing pipes.
- Water Supply: For extended vacations, consider turning off your main water supply to prevent leaks. If this isn't feasible, at least shut off valves to major appliances. Always consult with a professional to decide the best course of action.
- Unplug Appliances: Disconnect all non-essential appliances to reduce the risk of electrical fires and save energy.
- Privacy and Security: Adjust your shades to block clear views inside while maintaining an "at-home" appearance. Ensure all windows and doors are securely locked.
- Bill Payments: Ensure all upcoming bills are paid to avoid disruptions in services or potential damage to your credit standing.
- Alarm System: Inform your home alarm service of your absence, providing them with your return dates and any individuals who may access your property.
- Exterior Maintenance: Arrange for lawn care or snow removal to keep your property looking maintained and occupied.
- Plant Care: Water your plants thoroughly before leaving and remove any perishables that could decay and cause odors.
- Kitchen Prep: Clean dishes, sinks, and counters. Dispose of perishable items and ensure all appliances are turned off.
- Appliance Maintenance: Leave the doors of your dishwasher and washing machine slightly open to prevent mold and odors.
- Fridge and Pantry: Clean out your refrigerator and pantry, discarding items that might expire during your absence.
- Interior Air Flow: Keep interior doors and vents open to promote air circulation and prevent musty odors.
- Trash Disposal: Remove all trash from your home to avoid odors and pests. Forgetting this step can lead to unwelcome surprises—just ask my neighbors, who came back from vacation to a very unpleasant situation! If possible, arrange for someone to manage your bins on collection day.
- Home Monitoring: Notify a trusted neighbor or friend to keep an eye on your home, providing them with a way to contact you in emergencies. Also, consider giving them a key to your house. This can be incredibly helpful in case they need to check something inside or handle unexpected situations, like a delivery. For example, when my neighbor's flight was delayed, I was able to store their grocery delivery inside their home, including putting away perishables. Having someone you trust with a key can be a real lifesaver!
- Fresh Bedding: Prepare fresh bedding for a comfortable return home.
- Social Media Caution: Resist the urge to post about your vacation on social media until after you return to prevent potential security risks.
- Smart Home Technology: Utilize smart home technology to enhance security while you are away. Devices like smart locks, security cameras, and water leak sensors can provide real-time updates and control, giving you added peace of mind.
Make yourself a checklist so you don't forget anything when rushing out the door (Photo: Envato)
Additional Pesach Considerations
As you prepare for Pesach, be sure to follow all the steps in our general vacation checklist, with extra attention on getting your kitchen ready for the holiday. This means cleaning all surfaces thoroughly, tucking away any chametz into specific spots or getting rid of it completely, and selling your chametz. Also, it's a good idea to leave your home neat and ready just in case your plans change or something unexpected calls you back early. Coming home to a clean, Pesach-prepared house is a big relief, especially during the holiday. While you don’t need to clean as intensively as if you were making Pesach at home, ensure that the counters and refrigerator are clean in case the unexpected happens. For more tips, check out our detailed blog post about preparing your house for Pesach when going away. Keeping your home tidy and holiday-ready means you can head back with one less thing to stress about, knowing your space is set up right and waiting for you.
Final Checks
Create a "day-of-departure" checklist to ensure nothing is overlooked. This should include double-checking that all windows and doors are locked, the main water shut-off valve is closed if applicable, and all appliances are turned off or unplugged.
By following this detailed checklist, you can secure your home and depart for your vacation with confidence, whether you're celebrating Pesach or embarking on any adventure.