Holiday Home Prep Guide
It’s the holiday season and for a lot of us, that means we get to spend some extra time with the people we love most! Sometimes, that involves vacationing or traveling to visit family and friends out of town– so if that’s you, listen up! I created this comprehensive Holiday Home Prep Guide for those folks who will be leaving their homes during the holidays (or really, at any time) to ensure that everything is just the way you left it when you get back. Let’s embrace a worry-free holiday spirit and jump right in!
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
First and foremost, making sure your home is safe and secure is a top priority. Start by unplugging all basic appliances that don’t need electricity while you’re away. That includes the toaster, microwave, coffeemaker, televisions, game consoles, vacuum cleaners, computers and printers, to name a few. Because these appliances and devices still receive some electricity while not in use, they can be a potential fire hazard. Plus, unplugging will save you a few bucks on your electricity bill! Next, secure your home so it appears occupied. If you can, leave a car in the driveway so it looks like someone is home at all times. Keep an outward-facing light on in the house for the same reason. If you have a timer for your lights, use it to turn the light off at night. Before leaving, lock all your doors. In addition, make sure your security cameras are charged or have batteries. I recommend Ring or Blink cameras as affordable options. Last, if you have one, alert a trusted neighbor that you’ll be going away so they can keep an eye on your home and water any outdoor plants you may have. If you’re comfortable, see if they can take in your mail and packages while you’re away; if not, tell your postal worker to hold the mail until you return.
HOME CARE
Before you leave, it’s a good idea to clean out your refrigerator to make sure nothing goes bad (and gets smelly!) while you’re not home. This includes disposing of or freezing meats, produce, and dairy products. Condiments and foods with longer shelf lives should be ok. You should also consider adjusting your thermostat to save money on your heat bill while you’re not home. It is suggested that the temperature can go as low as 50 degrees while you’re away for an extended period of time. This will ensure that the pipes will not freeze. Lastly, keep your plants alive! If you have indoor plants that need watering, there are plenty of self-watering options (aqua globes, plant nanny, etc.) or, you can simply fill a water bottle or glass wine bottle with water and put it upside down into the pot!
MISCELLANEOUS
And now my final tip to ensure you have a safe and happy holiday season! Be mindful of what you share on social media. You don’t want strangers to know you’re not home. If you choose to share where you are on social media, make sure you are only sharing with friends and make your accounts private. However, I recommend enjoying your time in the present and posting your vacation when you get back home.
Below, you’ll find a quick cheat sheet checklist to make sure your house stays safe while you’re away. Think of it as my holiday gift to you! I hope you and yours have a very happy holiday season and I’ll catch up with you all in 2023!
Cheers!
Jenna
Cheat Sheet Checklist:
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
UNPLUG
- Toaster
- Microwave
- Coffee Maker
- Televisions
- Game Consoles
- Vacuum Cleaner
- Computers
- Printers
- Other appliances and devices
SECURE YOUR HOME
- Leave a car in the driveway
- Leave a light on
- Lock All Doors
- Make sure your security cameras are charged
ALERT A TRUSTED NEIGHBOR
- Keep an eye on the house
- Water outdoor plants
- Take in mail and packages
HOME CARE
CLEAN OUT YOUR REFRIGERATOR
Dispose/ Freeze:
- Meat
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Dairy Products
SET YOUR THERMOSTAT
- 50 degrees is the recommended temperature
WATER INDOOR PLANTS
- Use a water or wine bottle.
MISCELLANEOUS
- Be mindful of what you share on social media
Do you have more ideas? Share them in the comments below!
