When you head out of town for Thanksgiving or the winter holidays, your home faces some very real risks. AAA projects nearly 80 million Americans now travel over Thanksgiving and about 119 million travel for Christmas and New Year’s, leaving millions of houses dark and unattended.
At the same time, FBI-based analyses show December and January have the highest burglary rates of the year, with an estimated 83,000 home burglaries during the holiday period, nearly 5,000 break-ins on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day alone.
If you’re already rushing to check your deadbolts and your security system, hold on!
The good news: with a clear plan before you leave, you can dramatically reduce your risk of both break-ins and costly damage while you’re away.
This comprehensive guide serves as your ultimate house checklist before vacation. We’ll walk you through everything you need to do to prepare your house for vacation, with specific considerations for homeowners in Boulder, Denver, and across the Colorado Front Range. By following these steps, you can relax and enjoy your trip, knowing your home is secure and protected from unexpected events.
Turn this guide into action: download and print the checklist version, and use it before every vacation to keep your Colorado home safe and sound.Securing Your Home’s Perimeter
The first line of defense is a strong perimeter. A potential intruder will often look for the easiest point of entry. Your job is to make your home as unappealing a target as possible.
Reinforce All Entry Points
Nearly one-third of burglars enter a home through an unlocked door or window. Before you leave, conduct a thorough check of every potential entry point.
- Doors: Every exterior door should have a high-quality deadbolt. Smart locks and video doorbells add another layer of security, allowing you to monitor activity remotely and receive alerts on your phone. Don’t forget to lock sliding glass doors and consider adding a security bar for extra protection.
- Windows: Walk through your home and ensure every window is securely locked, including those on the second floor and in the basement. For ground-floor windows, security films can make the glass more difficult to break.
- Garage: Your garage can be a weak spot. Disconnect the power to your automatic garage door opener to prevent thieves from using a universal remote to gain access. Always lock the interior door that leads from the garage into your home. Read this article on preventing burglars from hacking your garage door.
Implement Outdoor Security Measures
A well-lit and maintained exterior can deter potential intruders.
- Lighting: Use timers on both interior and exterior lights to create the illusion that someone is home. Smart home devices allow you to control lighting schedules from your phone for a more random and convincing pattern. Motion-activated floodlights are also an excellent deterrent.
- Landscaping: An overgrown lawn or snow-covered driveway is a clear sign that a home is unoccupied. Arrange for a service or a trusted neighbor to mow your lawn or shovel your walks while you’re away. Trim any trees or large shrubs near your house that could offer cover for a burglar
- Security System: A monitored home security system provides 24/7 protection. These systems often include motion detectors, door and window sensors, and can alert you and the authorities to a break-in. Inform your alarm company of your travel dates and provide them with contact information for anyone who is authorized to be at your home.
Managing Utilities and Appliances
Protecting your home goes beyond security. Managing your utilities and appliances is key to preventing costly disasters like fires and water damage.
Preventing Water Damage
Water damage is a silent threat that can cause catastrophic damage. Taking preventative steps is essential, especially when you won’t be home to catch a leak early.
- Inspect Your Plumbing: Before your trip, check for any slow leaks under sinks, behind toilets, and around your water heater. Examine the supply lines to your washing machine, dishwasher, and refrigerator ice maker, as these are common failure points. Consider replacing old plastic or rubber hoses with more durable braided stainless steel lines.
- Clear Gutters and Downspouts: In Colorado, sudden downpours or rapid snowmelt can quickly overwhelm clogged gutters. Clear any leaves, pine needles, and debris to ensure water is directed away from your home’s foundation.
- Shut Off the Main Water Valve: For extended trips, the safest measure is to shut off your home’s main water supply. If you’re unsure where your main shut-off valve is, now is the time to find it. If you have a fire sprinkler system, do not turn off its water supply. If you must leave the water on for irrigation, turn off the individual supply valves to your washing machine, dishwasher, and toilets.
- Test Your Sump Pump: If you have a basement, ensure your sump pump is working correctly. Test it by pouring a bucket of water into the sump pit to confirm it activates and pumps the water out.
For a more thorough guide on preventing water damage during winter months, read our blog post on frozen pipes.
Electrical Safety
Faulty wiring and power surges are leading causes of house fires. Mitigate this risk before you travel.
- Unplug Electronics: Unplug non-essential electronics like computers, televisions, and small kitchen appliances. This not only saves energy but also protects them from power surges and reduces fire risk.
- Turn Off Appliances: Do a final check to make sure your stove, oven, and other major appliances are turned off.
HVAC Systems
Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system requires attention to prevent damage and save energy.
- Air Conditioning: If traveling in the summer, set your thermostat to a moderate temperature (around 80-85°F) to manage humidity without running constantly.
- Heating: During Colorado winters, never turn your heat completely off. Set the thermostat to at least 55°F to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting—a common and costly disaster in our climate.
Creating the Illusion of Occupancy
A house that appears occupied is less likely to be targeted by burglars.
- Timers for Lights and Electronics: Use smart plugs or timers to schedule lights, a radio, or a TV to turn on and off at various times in the evening.
- Mail and Deliveries: An overflowing mailbox is a dead giveaway. Place a hold on your mail with the U.S. Postal Service and pause any newspaper subscriptions. Ask a neighbor to collect any unexpected packages that arrive.
- Enlist Help from Neighbors: A trusted neighbor is your best asset. Ask them to keep an eye on your home, collect flyers left on your door, and park a car in your driveway occasionally. Leave them a spare key and your contact information in case of an emergency. Some security systems allow you to temporarily give your neighbor access to your home as well.
Protecting Valuables and Important Documents
Safeguard your most important possessions in case the unthinkable happens.
- Secure Valuables: Store jewelry, cash, and other small valuables in a fireproof safe. For irreplaceable items, a bank safety deposit box offers the highest level of security.
- Important Documents: Keep passports, birth certificates, and other critical documents in your safe or take digital and physical copies with you.
Final Preparations Before You Leave
On the day of your departure, run through one last set of checks.
- Kitchen: Clean out your refrigerator and discard any perishable food to avoid returning to unpleasant odors and mold. Run your garbage disposal and take out all trash and recycling.
- General Tidiness: A tidy home is less inviting to pests. Ensure all trash is removed and bins are brought back in promptly after collection day by a neighbor.
- Final Walkthrough: Do one last sweep of your home. Confirm all windows are closed and locked, doors are secured, and appliances are turned off.
Insurance and Digital Security
Your final checks should cover your insurance and online presence.
- Review Your Homeowners Insurance: Ensure your policy is up to date and provides adequate coverage for theft, water, and fire damage. Understand any clauses related to your home being unoccupied for an extended period.
- Avoid Social Media Announcements: Resist the urge to post about your vacation on social media until you return. Announcing your absence online makes your home a public target.
- Secure Smart Home Devices: If you use smart home technology, ensure your network is secure with a strong password. Monitor your devices remotely, but be aware of the potential for them to be hacked.
Enjoy Your Vacation with Confidence
Preparing your home for vacation may seem like a lot of work, but this checklist is designed to give you complete peace of mind. By taking these steps, you significantly reduce the risk of returning to a disaster. You can relax and create lasting memories, knowing you’ve done everything possible to keep your home safe and sound.
Unfortunately, even with the best preparations, emergencies can happen. If you return to find unexpected water, fire, or storm damage, you need a team you can trust to respond quickly. At 24-7 Restoration, we are always ready to help homeowners in Boulder, Denver, and across the Front Range. Our team is on call 24/7 to tackle any disaster and restore your home. If you face an emergency, call us immediately.
