| Going on vacation is an exciting time and there can | | | | target. |
| be all kinds of last minute problems and annoyances | | | | * Leave a radio or something going in the house that |
| that can arise that can keep you from taking care of | | | | makes sound and can be viewed as an indication that |
| things that you should before you leave. | | | | someone is home. |
| Unfortunately, remembering those things that you | | | | * Disconnect the garage door so that it cannot be |
| should have done later on is not going to help, so | | | | operated by remote control from the outside. Usually |
| here are some things to be sure to check off on | | | | there is a lever that you can pull on the opener that |
| your list before you leave on vacation: | | | | can accomplish this easily. |
| * Lock all doors and windows throughout the house. | | | | * Unplug your washing machine hoses. These can |
| * Unplug most electronic items especially those that | | | | easily break and if they do while you are away for |
| are expensive or may have valuable data on them. | | | | several days it could cause near catastrophic flood |
| These can include your TV set, stereo, and especially | | | | damage to your home before you would be able to |
| computers. If a storm comes through while you are | | | | do anything about it. |
| away, these items can be damaged beyond repair | | | | * If you have pets make sure that they have an |
| simply by being plugged into the wall outlet, so | | | | automatic feeder and plenty of food and water, if |
| remove that possibility before you leave. Also, if you | | | | you choose not to board them in a kennel or leave |
| use a modem it would be good idea to unplug it as | | | | them with someone else. Also be sure that the |
| damage can also happen due to the phone | | | | heating/AC system is set to keep things comfortable |
| connection used. | | | | for them in the house while you are gone. If you do |
| * There is no need for your water heater to | | | | choose to leave your pets at home it's a good idea |
| continue to operate at a high level since it will not be | | | | to arrange for someone to stop by daily and check |
| used throughout the time that you are gone, so turn | | | | on them and spend a little time with them too. |
| it down to a low setting. | | | | There are other reminders that would be good to |
| * Call and cancel your paper and mail delivery while | | | | have on your away list too, but these should be a |
| you are gone. You certainly don't want newspapers | | | | good start to help keep you focused on necessary |
| and mail piling up outside your home and sending a | | | | items to take care of before leaving on any fun |
| clear signal to burglars that your house is an easy | | | | family vacations. |