Summer is in full swing!  Before you head out for a weekend trip or a weeklong vacation, there are a few things that you can do to make your Locust Grove home ready for your absence and your return. My favorite part of doing these things ahead of time is that it helps ease you back into your normal daily schedule when you return. Nobody wants to return from a vacation faced with a long list of chores.

Light Clean

While packing for your trip is top priority, taking a little time to straighten up your home makes returning home easier.  Before you leave for your trip, make sure to:

  • Empty the refrigerator of food that will spoil
  • Change bed sheets (fresh sheets are awesome)
  • Vacuum/sweep floors
  • Empty trash cans

Save energy

Summer thunderstorms are no joke.  Unplug your electronics before you leave your Locust Grove home to keep them safe from possible power surges.  You can also unplug small appliances like a toaster or coffee maker that won’t be in use but still continue to use electricity.  Turn your thermostat up a few degrees.  If you have a thermostat connected to an app, then set yourself a reminder for a few hours before you plan to return home to turn the thermostat down.  This way your Locust Grove home will be cool upon your return.

Turn off the water

Whether you are planning on being gone for a long weekend or a couple weeks, it is always a great idea to turn off the water from the main valve.  This way you won’t have to worry about any surprise leaks from a pipe, washing machine, or dishwasher when you return to your Locust Grove home. Even small leaks can cost hundreds of dollars to repair.  Did you know that most hot water heaters have a setting known as vacation mode? Labeled VAC on the thermometer, this mode lowers the hot water temperature so that it does not continue to cycle on while you are away from home.

Pre-plan meals

After a long road trip or delayed flight, the last thing most of us want to think about is what’s for dinner.  However, if you’ve got hungry family members, then this is a topic that will be of great importance.  Plan a quick and easy meal ahead of time that you can prepare with minimal effort.  Since you may not have many fresh items in your refrigerator, think about meals like spaghetti and meatballs with jarred marinara sauce and frozen meatballs, soup and grilled cheese, or you can pull a frozen meal out of your freezer. These meals are great to take with you or for your return to your Locust Grove home.

Set up a Timer

Even with doorbell video cameras, the security of your home while you are gone is always a concern.  Use some timers to have some lights come on in the evening of your home.  You can also have the post office hold your mail so it is not piling up in your mailbox or ask a trusted neighbor to gather it up every day.

Wait to Share

It is always fun to share images from your trip with friends on social media.  However, it is best to wait until after your trip to post your photos.  Doing so during the trip can alert others online that you aren’t home.