How to program your home for vacations or extended absences

Your dream trip is coming, congratulations! But before you get on the plane or start the car, there's one important task: preparing your home for your absence. An unattended home can be a magnet for trouble, from petty theft to costly breakdowns. Don't worry, it doesn't have to be complicated. Here we'll guide you step-by-step so you can enjoy your vacation with peace of mind knowing your home is safe and secure.

Home Security: Protect your home from intruders

Safety is paramount when it comes to preparing your home for an extended absence. Here are some essential steps you should take:

Reinforces physical security

• Locks and windows: Make sure all doors and windows have locks in good condition and are securely locked. Consider installing additional locks on the main doors.
• Outdoor lighting: Install motion sensor lights on the outside of your home. This will deter intruders and make your property appear more guarded.
• Alarm system: If you have an alarm system, activate it before you leave. If you don't, consider installing one. There are very affordable and easy-to-install options available. A visible alarm system is an excellent deterrent.

Creates the illusion of presence

Burglars look for houses that appear unoccupied. Fool them by creating the appearance that someone is home:

• Light timers: Use timers to turn lights on and off in different rooms at varying times. This will simulate the presence of people in the home.
• Television or radio: Connect a TV or radio to a timer so that they turn on for a few hours a day. The sound may deter intruders.
• Ask a neighbor for a favor: Ask a trusted neighbor to pick up your mail, water your plants and park their car occasionally in your driveway. This is one of the best ways to simulate presence.

Do not announce your absence

Avoid giving burglars clues that your house is empty:

• Social networks: Don't post on social networks that you are going on vacation! Wait until you come back to share your photos and experiences.
• Message on answering machine: Don't leave a message on your answering machine stating that you are on vacation. Simply say that you are unable to take the call at this time and that you will call back.
• Mail and package delivery: Suspend delivery of mail and newspapers or have a neighbor pick them up. An accumulation of mail is a clear sign that the house is unoccupied.

Protecting your home from disasters: Prevention is cure

In addition to security against theft, it is essential to protect your home from possible natural or accidental disasters. Here's how:

Fire protection

• Check smoke detectors: Make sure all smoke detectors are working properly and have fresh batteries. This is a crucial safety measure.
• Unplugs electrical appliances: Unplug all electrical appliances that do not need to be plugged in, such as toasters, irons and chargers. This reduces the risk of short circuits and fires.
• Do not leave candles burning: Obviously, do not leave candles burning before you leave.

Flood protection

• Turn off the water tap: Closing the water stopcock is a key preventive measure to avoid flooding due to burst pipes.
• Inspect the piping: Visually check pipes for leaks or signs of corrosion.
• Lifts valuables: If you live in an area prone to flooding, elevate valuables off the ground.

Protection against extreme weather damage

• Secures objects from the outside: Store lawn furniture, flower pots and other loose objects that can be blown away by wind or rain.
• Check the condition of the roof: Make sure there are no loose or damaged shingles that could cause leaks.
• Prepare your garden: Trim tree limbs near the house to prevent them from falling on the roof during a storm.

Managing home appliances and installations

Proper management of appliances and facilities can save you money and prevent major problems during your absence.

Refrigerator and freezer

• Clean the refrigerator: Clean the refrigerator and discard perishable foods to avoid odors and bacterial growth.
• Empty the freezer (optional): If you are going to be away for an extended period of time, consider emptying the freezer and unplugging it to save energy. If you leave it on, make sure it is working properly.

Heating and air conditioning

• Adjust the thermostat: Set the thermostat to a moderate temperature to prevent the house from getting too cold or too hot. This saves energy and prevents damage from freezing or extreme heat. About 15-18 degrees Celsius is usually sufficient in winter. In summer, keep the temperature not too low, around 28-30 degrees Celsius, to avoid humidity and mold.
• Consider a smart thermostat: A smart thermostat allows you to control the temperature in your home remotely through your smartphone. This gives you the flexibility to adjust the temperature according to weather conditions.

Water heater

• Lower the temperature of the water heater: Reduce the temperature of the water heater or turn it off completely to save energy. Don't forget to turn it back on when you return.

Plants and pets: Special care

If you have plants or pets, they will need special care during your absence.

Plants

• Water the plants: Water the plants well before leaving.
• Ask a neighbor to water them: If you are going to be away for an extended period of time, ask a neighbor or friend to water your plants.
• It uses automatic irrigation systems: Consider installing an automatic watering system to keep your plants hydrated.

Pets

• Leave them in the care of a friend or relative: The best option is to leave your pets in the care of a trusted friend or family member.
• Hire a pet sitter: If you can't leave them with a friend or family member, hire a professional pet sitter.
• Book a kennel or cattery: Another option is to reserve a place in a kennel or cattery.
• Make sure they have enough food and water: If you are going to be away for a short period of time, make sure your pets have enough food and water.

Final Verification: Pre-departure Checklist

Before you close the door and start your vacation, review this checklist to make sure you haven't forgotten anything:

• All doors and windows are locked.
• The alarm system is activated.
• The light timers are programmed.
• Mail and newspapers are suspended or picked up.
• Electrical appliances are unplugged.
• The water stopcock is closed.
• The thermostat is set.
• The water heater is off or at reduced temperature.
• The refrigerator is clean and empty of perishable foods.
• Plants are watered.
• Pets are in the care of someone or have sufficient food and water.
• You have left a set of keys with a trusted neighbor (optional).
• You have informed the police of your absence (optional, but recommended in some areas).

Technology for the smart home and vacation security

Today's technology offers incredible solutions for monitoring and controlling your home remotely. Investing in some smart devices can give you invaluable peace of mind.

Intelligent security cameras

• Keep an eye on your home from your cell phone: Smart security cameras allow you to see what is happening in your home in real time via your smartphone. You can receive notifications if motion is detected.
• Interior and exterior models: Choose models designed for indoors or outdoors, depending on your needs.
• Cloud or local storage: Consider whether you prefer to have the recordings stored in the cloud or locally on an SD card.

Intelligent locks

• Controls remote access: Smart locks allow you to control who enters and leaves your home, even when you're not there.
• Create temporary access codes: You can create temporary access codes for friends, family or pet sitters.
• Receive opening and closing notifications: Receive notifications on your smartphone every time someone opens or closes the door.

Intelligent water leak detectors

• Early warning of leaks: Smart water leak detectors detect water leaks and send you alerts to your smartphone.
• Prevents further damage: Acting quickly in the event of a leak can prevent major damage and costly repairs.

Intelligent motion sensors

• Detection of suspicious activity: Smart motion sensors detect movement in your home and send alerts to your smartphone.
• Integration with security systems: They can be integrated with broader security systems for added protection.

Financial and legal considerations

In addition to physical security and disaster protection, there are some financial and legal considerations to take into account before going on vacation.

Pay bills online

• Automate payments: Set up automatic payment of your bills to avoid late charges.
• Access your accounts online: Make sure you have access to your bank and credit card accounts online in case you need to make a transaction.

Important documents

• Saves digital copies: Make digital copies of your important documents, such as passports, credit cards and insurance policies, and store them in a safe place in the cloud.
• Inform the bank of your trip: Inform your bank of your travel plans to avoid having your credit cards blocked for suspicious activity.

Home insurance

• Review your policy: Review your home insurance policy to make sure it covers relevant risks, such as theft, fire and flood.
• Know your coverage: Familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions of your policy.

Final recommendations and best practices for peace of mind

In order for you to really relax and enjoy your vacation, keep in mind these final recommendations:

• Be proactive: Plan ahead and don't leave preparations to the last minute.
• Be methodical: Use a checklist to make sure you haven't forgotten anything.
• Trust your instincts: If something doesn't seem right, investigate further.
• Do not obsess: Once you have taken all the necessary precautions, relax and enjoy your vacation. Trust that you have done everything possible to protect your home.
• Ask for help if you need it: Don't hesitate to ask for help from friends, family or professionals if you feel overwhelmed.

Conclusion

Preparing your home for a vacation or an extended absence takes a little planning and effort, but it's well worth the peace of mind it will give you. By following these tips, you can protect your home from theft, disasters and other problems, so relax and enjoy your well-deserved vacation! What additional security measures do you take before you leave for your trip? Share your tips and experiences in the comments.