Get your house ready for holiday travel

Key Insights

• Save money by powering down appliances and turning down your thermostat.
• Prepare services like snow removal, garbage and mail for when you are gone.
• Deter thieves with home security measures like lighting and alerting neighbors of your trip.
• Prepare your home for your arrival to save on stress when you get back from your travels.

There’s no place like home for the holidays, and if you’re traveling to your hometown to be closer to family or making a trip to see distant relatives or friends, you’ll want to prepare your home for holiday travel. Use this checklist to ensure your home stays safe, undamaged and ready to welcome you back.

Protect your property

Your biggest home concern when traveling is bound to be protection. Check off these tasks to keep your home safe and secure.

• Alert your neighbors: Inform a trusted neighbor or two about your travel plans, and give them a key or access code in case of emergencies.
• Turn on your alarm system: If you have a security system in place, be sure to arm it for your holiday travels. You may also want to call your security system and local police to let them know you’ll be out of town.
• Plan for pets and plants: Often overlooked in the flurry of travel planning, be sure you have care for your furry friends that you’re leaving behind. Likewise, set up a watering system or ask a friend to stop by and take care of any plants you may have.
• Think about your tree if you have one: Depending on when you travel, you may want to take down your Christmas tree before you hit the road. Trees can be a huge fire hazard—especially if you have a fresh one. If you can’t take it down, make sure the lighting is safe, it’s away from heat sources and real trees are watered daily.
• strong>Prepare for interior conditions: Depending on where you live, you might want to run a dehumidifier in damp places like basements and closets.
• Lock all doors and windows: Remember to remove any hide-a-keys that might be lying around.
• Store all valuables: Prepare for the unexpected by storing all jewelry, money and important documents in a safe.

Save money

Don’t pay for services you don’t need while you’re gone. These few steps can keep your bills down while you’re out of town.

• Adjust your thermostat: Since you won’t be home to enjoy the warmth, change your thermostat. Just make sure your thermostat is set to at least 50 degrees to prevent frozen pipes.
• Unplug electronics: Even when not in use, electronics draw energy, called “vampire electronics.” Unplug computers, small kitchen appliances like toasters and coffee makers to keep your bills down (and prevent electrical fires).
• Set up timers: Interior lighting is a great way to make it seem like someone is home, but if you want to cut costs, setting up lamp timers can create the illusion of people turning lights on and off while saving you on electric costs.
• Close your blinds: Blinds can help insulate your home, meaning less work for your furnace. It also stops people from peeping in to see who’s home.

Plan ahead

The last thing you want to do after traveling is get your home back in order. By planning ahead, you can return to a home ready to receive you.

• Pause packages and mail: Avoid a mailbox pile-up and deter any front porch thieves by pausing your mail delivery through the USPS or asking a neighbor to bring in your mail.
• Empty out your fridge: Remove foods about to expire and anything that will go bad while you’re away. Be sure to toss anything perishable in your pantry or on the kitchen counter, like bread or fruit. If you really want to plan ahead, arrange for grocery delivery when you return or stock some items for your first meals after a long, exhausting trip.
• Take out the trash: Remove all garbage from the home to avoid a stinky situation when you return. If you’re gone over trash pickup day, ask a neighbor to take out your bins and put them away.
• Do your laundry: Wash, fold and put away all laundry, including towels and bedsheets.
• Arrange for snow removal: A buildup of snow can cause ice to form and can make getting in the front door an issue. Pay for a service to shovel your sidewalks, plow your driveway and lay down salt if needed. Ask neighbors to let you know if they see any signs of ice dams so you can address the issue right away.
• Clean your home: If you’re short on time and can’t do a full clean, make sure to hit hotspots like bathrooms and the kitchen, including emptying the dishwasher.

According to data from PwC, 46% of Americans plan to travel during the holiday season. If you’re among those numbers, these home prep travel tips can save you from home damage and extra work when you return. Tired of traveling for the holidays? Reach out to Edina Realty or one of our agents to find a house that’s closer to home.