Taking a long vacation is a stellar way to disconnect from day-to-day life, recharge, bond with
loved ones, and soak up the culture of a new place. While it’s easy to get overwhelmed with
planning your vacation, it’s crucial to ensure your home remains safe and secure during your
absence too. A well-protected home safeguards your possessions and provides the peace of
mind needed to fully enjoy your time away.
From reinforcing entry points to maintaining a lived-in appearance, we’ll cover the essential
strategies to create a multilayered defense against potential threats. In addition, we’ll add vital
areas to pay attention to before you take off on your extended vacation. Check out the details
below and get to work ASAP so you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest.
This article contains affiliate links. We earn from qualifying purchases.
Securing Your Home Before Your Vacation
Burglaries are a big concern for most vacationers, especially on long trips. Securing your home
against invaders is about more than just upgrading your locks – you have to make your home appear occupied, minimize the signs that you’re gone, and take another look at your garage’s
security as well. Don’t spend your vacation worrying about your home – stay tuned below as we
detail what you need to secure your home.
Securing Entry Points & Deep Cleaning
Protecting your home’s access points is the foundation of a solid security strategy. Start by
inspecting all exterior doors and windows. Each entryway should sport a high-quality lock. While
you’re checking the perimeter, kill two birds with one stone and do some deep spring cleaning before leaving home – just move the furniture along your walls as you check doors/windows.
If you don’t already have a security system and cameras, now would be the time to invest –
visible security cameras and signs advertising that you have a security system are huge
deterrents to would-be burglars. These systems allow you to grant temporary access to trusted
individuals like pet sitters, typically with audio/video capabilities.
Making Your Home Appear Occupied
Most burglars target empty homes, so deterring potential intruders often comes down to making
your home appear lived-in. One trick to making your home appear occupied is smart lighting –
you can manually control the lighting via app or set a schedule for turning lights on and off.
Ask a relative or friend to periodically check up on your home so it looks like people are coming
and going. To stop mail from building up, visit your post office and ask them to hold your mail for
the duration of your vacation. Another small thing that helps is to set up a lawn care routine
where your grass gets cut monthly or biweekly to stop it from becoming a neon sign to criminals.
Rethink Garage Security
Dedicate some time to cleaning out and maintaining your garage. This deters pests, protects
valuable items, and makes it easier to spot any signs of intrusion when you come home. Start
by decluttering, and sorting through items to dispose of anything unnecessary or forgotten
items.
Next, ensure your garage door and windows are secure with robust locks and store away items
in airtight plastic containers – this minimizes pests like bugs or rodents. Caulk any areas
suffering water damage, and seal gaps if you find any. Lock away flammables like paints or
chemicals in locked metal cabinets. Lastly, remove pet food and other stored foods that could
attract rodents.
Pre-Vacation Maintenance
A lot can go wrong at home when you’re away from home on a long vacation, and the last thing
you want is to return to a sky-high power bill, catastrophic water damage, or a rodent
apocalypse. Performing maintenance ahead of time with prevention in mind is key for securing
the interior of your home against these insidious threats. Discover some ways to take care of
your home before taking off on your next adventure down below.
Protecting Against Water Damage
Water damage can be ruinous to your home and personal belongings, especially when
undetected for extended periods. Start by inspecting your plumbing system for any signs of
leaks or wear – pay close attention to areas prone to issues, such as under sinks, around
toilets, and near appliances like washing machines and water heaters.
You may also turn the water off via your water main to circumvent these issues entirely. If that’s
not feasible, another option is to completely disconnect any non-essential appliances from your
plumbing.
Power Management
Depending on the season, set your smart thermostat to 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit before leaving. You
don’t want to suffer frozen pipes that burst while you’re away, and nor do you want rampant
mold growth during humid summers. A smart thermostat can help you remotely monitor and
control the temperature while you’re away, in case you want the most control possible.
Next up, unplug devices that sap energy over time and run up your power bill – unplug non-
essentials like your washer, dryer, kitchen appliances, TVs, game consoles, and so on. Prevent
electrical accidents by plugging your refrigerators and/or deep freezers into surge protectors
before departing.
Pest Control Measures
Rodents and bugs love to squat in vacationers’ empty homes, so it’s important to defend your home from pests before taking your vacation. Begin by sealing potential entry points throughout
your home, such as garage door seals, gaps around windows, doors, and where utilities enter
the house – secure these with caulking and/or steel wool where applicable. If needed, treat
infestations with bug spray or other pest control measures.
In the kitchen, ensure all food is stored in airtight containers or removed entirely, and remove
any trash lingering in the area. Clean out the refrigerator, dispose of perishables, and clean
surfaces to keep pests away. Do a once-over to ensure your sink is clean of any food particles
that could breed foul odors.
Travel Prep & Documentation
Preparation is at the core of making your successful vacation an effortless getaway. By
addressing key travel details before departure, you pave the way for a smooth vacation
experience and a worry-free return. Whether you’re planning a cross-country road trip or an
international adventure, organizing your travel documents and making sure you plan for your trip
is crucial.
By taking care of these essentials in advance, you’re better equipped to handle unexpected
situations and make your trip as headache-proof as possible. Let’s explore the vital steps to
ensure your travel plans unfold seamlessly, from securing important paperwork to preparing for
the unique demands of different travel scenarios
Cross-Country Road Trip
Driving cross-country is a fun way to experience a vast slice of the country on the way to your
vacay spot, but it takes a unique set of work. Let’s review what you need to know before
gassing up for your cross-country adventure.
- Vehicle maintenance: schedule a thorough check-up for your vehicle, including oil change, tire rotation, and brake inspection.
- Plan the route: craft a detailed itinerary with rest stops, restaurants, hotels, and other points of interest so you just have to worry about the traffic.
- Emergency kit: pack an emergency kit with a first aid kit, hand tools, food, water, flashlight, blanket, spare tire, and any important medications.
- Check the weather: be aware of any climate differences between your home and destination – for example, pack warm clothes for skiing, and swimwear for the beach.
- Entertainment: stay amused and engaged with road trip games, podcasts, and music playlists.
- Comfort: pack supportive pillows for long hours in the car – we suggest neck and back pillows in particular, but everyone should be comfortable.
International Travel
Travel abroad requires a lot of research and organization to pull off, but with our help, you’ll
have an easier time acclimating to international travel. Jot down some of our international travel tips below and refer to them as needed.
- Visa requirements: research and obtain necessary visas well in advance of your departure date to minimize unexpected complications.
- Currency exchange: notify your bank of travel plans, your approximate itinerary, and how long you’ll be away, and consider arranging for local currency in advance or applying for a travel-friendly credit card.
- Mobile plan: research international phone and data plans before leaving – options include investing in a satellite phone, foreign SIM card, or purchasing a comprehensive data package from your current phone provider.
- Cultural awareness: familiarize yourself with local customs, etiquette, and basic phrases in the local language well in advance of your trip.
Securing Travel Documents
Documentation organization is crucial for any trip, providing peace of mind and quick access to
essential papers. Use some of our strategies underneath to keep your paperwork organized and
secure.
- Create a travel folder: organize physical copies of all essential documents in one secure, easily accessible place – this includes passports, visas, vaccination records, or any other paperwork required by the country you’re visiting.
- Passports: ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your return date for international travel – don’t get caught with an expired passport on the day of your trip!
- Have backups: scan your documentation and create cloud-based backups in case they get lost – this can help in the event you lose your paperwork abroad.
- Itinerary planning: give a trusted friend or family member a copy of your travel plans and arrange a regular check-in schedule – do not post your exact itinerary on social media or elsewhere online.
Wrapping Up
It’s easy to hyperfocus on your destination and the fun you’re going to have, but we urge
comprehensive preparation before taking a long vacation. By focusing on key areas such as
reinforcing entry points, maintaining your property’s appearance, and implementing essential
home maintenance measures, you create a formidable defense against potential issues.
Leave a Reply