So, you’re planning a trip? Awesome. But then that little worry creeps in, right? Leaving your home empty. Yeah, I’ve been there. It used to gnaw at me. But after a few too many anxious vacations, I decided to get my act together. Let me walk you through what I actually do now. It’s not super complicated, but it works for me.
Getting Started: The Pre-Travel Ritual
Okay, first things first, about a week before I even think about packing my bags, I start my house prep. I don’t leave this to the last minute, no way. That’s just asking for trouble or forgetting something crucial.
Lockdown Mode:
- I physically go to every single door and window. And I mean every one. Ground floor, upstairs, basement, the little weird window in the bathroom nobody ever opens. I check the locks. Are they working? Are they actually locked? One time, I found a window latch that was completely busted. Imagine leaving that open for business. So, I fixed it.
- The garage door. People forget this one. I make sure it’s closed and locked, and I even disconnect the automatic opener sometimes, just to be extra cautious.
Making the House Look Alive:
This part is all about deception, good old-fashioned trickery. Burglars are looking for easy targets, empty houses.
- Timers. These are my best friends. I get a couple of cheap digital timers and hook them up to lamps in different rooms. The living room light goes on around dusk, off a few hours later. Maybe a bedroom light comes on for a bit too. Makes it look like someone’s home, moving around.
- I used to forget about mail and newspapers piling up. Big mistake. That screams “nobody’s here!” Now, I either put a hold on my mail or, even better, I ask my trusty neighbor, Sarah, to pick it up. She’s a star. I always bring her back a little something from my trip.
- If I’m gone for a longer spell, I arrange for someone to mow the lawn or shovel snow if it’s winter. An unkempt yard is another dead giveaway.
The “Don’t Advertise” Rule
This one’s huge, especially in this age of social media. I used to be so excited about trips I’d post “Counting down the days to Bali!” Bad idea. Really bad.
Now? I keep my travel plans on the down-low. I tell close family, the neighbor who’s watching the house, and that’s about it. I wait until I’m back home to spam everyone with my vacation photos. Seriously, don’t announce to the world your house is going to be an empty, tempting target.
Securing the Goods
Let’s be real, if someone really wants to get in, they might. But I don’t want to make it easy for them to grab my most precious stuff.
- Important documents, expensive jewelry, that kind of thing? I either take it with me (if it’s small and I really need it) or I lock it up in a home safe. If you don’t have a safe, even a well-hidden lockbox is better than nothing.
- I also take pictures or a video of my valuables and the general state of my rooms before I leave. Good for insurance purposes, just in case the worst happens. Hopefully, you’ll never need it, but better safe than sorry.
My Peace of Mind
So, I do all this stuff. It takes a bit of effort, not gonna lie. But you know what? When I finally lock that door behind me and head off on my travels, I feel so much better. I can actually relax and enjoy my vacation instead of constantly wondering if everything’s okay back home.
And every time I’ve come back, thankfully, my home has been exactly as I left it. Safe and sound. That peace of mind? Totally worth the prep work. It’s not rocket science, just a bit of common sense and taking action. You just gotta do it.
