Tips for Pre-Vacation Home Preparation and Safety Suggestions

Before you go on a well-deserved vacation, take the time to give your home a safety check-up. House Doctors Handyman Service offers advice to homeowners to have ‘peace-of-mind’ while they travel.

SAFETY AND SECURITY - Give your house that lived-in look while you're away. According to the FBI’s Crime in the United States Report, the highest percentage of burglaries (18 percent) occur during July and August, when many people are away from their homes on vacation.

• Let There be Light – Use automatic timers with lamps and televisions. Look for a timer that can be set to a random pattern so the lights don't turn on and off at exactly the same times every day. Install motion detector lights outdoors.
• Create a Lived-in Look Outdoors - Mow the lawn before you leave town. If you'll be gone more than a few days, hire someone to mow the lawn or shovel the walk. Ask a neighbor to set out your trash on collection day and then retrieve empty cans and recycling bins the same day.
• Stop the Presses – Put a vacation hold on your mail and newspapers or arrange for a neighbor to take these in for you daily.
• Lock ‘em Up & Keep ‘em Raised – Make sure each window is locked. Leave blinds, curtains and shades in their normal positions. Burglars are attracted to homes with windows that remain covered day and night.
• Park It on Your Driveway - Arrange to have a neighbor park in your driveway while you're away. Or if you're leaving your car at home, park it in the driveway instead of the garage, and ask your neighbor to move it from time to time. Unplug your automatic garage-door opener before you leave.
• Notify the Police – Contact your local police department about your departure. Many departments offer a complimentary drive-by service.

GIVE YOUR APPLIANCES A VACATION! (Save energy and money, too!)

• Adjust Your Thermostat - In the summer, set your air conditioner to a higher temperature, but don't turn it off altogether. A silent compressor on a blistering day is a sure sign that a house is unoccupied. In the winter, set the furnace thermostat at 55 degrees - but don't go any lower. This will help prevent water pipes from freezing and bursting.
• Cool Down the Water - If you have a gas water heater, set the temperature dial to the VAC or "vacation" setting or turn the thermostat as low as it will go - but don't turn it completely off. If you have an electric water heater, cut the power at the breaker or fuse in the service panel. When you come home, be sure to let the water reach at least 120 degrees before using it.
• Hold the Ice – Turn-off your refrigerator’s icemaker to prevent any leaks in your absence.
• Pull the Plugs - Unplug any appliance or electronic device that doesn't need to stay on. Many items like microwaves, computers and televisions draw power even when they're not being used. Unplugging appliances will also help prevent damage in case of a storm or power surge. Don't forget to also unplug bigger items like your washer and dryer.

About House Doctors

House Doctors, established in 1995, is the largest handyman-home repair/improvement franchise in America with more than 200 franchise locations across the nation. House Doctors provides a variety of home repair and handyman services to local homes including drywall, painting and carpentry work. All handymen are bonded and insured, and the work is guaranteed for one year on labor. Each office is independently owned and operated. For more information, visit www.housedoctors.com or call 1-888-HOUSEDOC