15 things to do before you leave on vacation

It feels like summertime!  One of the great things about the summer is taking a summer vacation with your family.  But before you pack up the car or head to the airport, make sure you do these 15 things around your home.

1. Stop your mail service
   Don’t let burglars know you’re not home. Ask a friend or trusted neighbor to pick up your mail daily.  Or, ask your local Post Office to hold it – it’s free.
2. Check your sump pump
   Test your sump pump to make sure it’s in good working order.
3. Unplug all electronics and appliances
   Turn off all electronics – including your TV, microwave, toaster oven, etc. – to save on your electric bill.
4. Tend to your plants
   Water your houseplants before you leave.
5. Adjust your thermostat
   If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, adjust your thermostat to about 5 degrees higher than you normally keep it. Don’t turn the AC off completely – you want it to run enough so that it controls humidity and deters mold growth.
6. Clean your house
   It doesn’t sound like fun, I agree, but everyone loves to return from vacation to a clean house.
7. Check your washer and dryer
   Make sure you didn’t leave any wet clothes in the washer or dryer.
8. Check your dishwasher
   Make sure you didn’t leave any dirty dishes in it.
9. Clean out your refrigerator
   Give away any food that might spoil.
10. Take out the garbage
    There’s nothing worse than coming home to the pervasive smell of rotting garbage.
11. Pour baking soda down your drains and toilet
    Baking soda is a natural deodorizer.
12. Seal any open boxes of food and dry goods
    This will deter bugs.
13. Invest in timers for your lights
    In order to deter burglars, put timers on lights in different rooms. Set them to go on and off at various times throughout the night.
14. Turn off your main water supply
    No one likes to return to a flooded home. Turn off your main water supply if you are going to be gone for a week or more.
15. Close and lock all windows and doors

Last, but not least, have a wonderful time!