Taking a well-deserved vacation to Europe is a great opportunity to enjoy some European culture and visit iconic locations that are centuries old. When doing your planning, however, it’s important to make sure that you get all your to-dos in order. You don’t want to come back to a disastrous situation because you omitted something that could have prevented the problem.
Here are a few things that vacationers commonly forget to do:
Conserve Energy
Even when not actually in use, items like TVs, computers, stereo systems and microwave ovens will trickle electricity. If you’re going to be gone for an extended time, unplugging your fridge will save money. If you use surge protectors, shut them off. If not, unplug each item except for a few items as outlined in the next tip.
Appearances Are Important
Use a timer with your inside and outside lights, with a couple lamps and perhaps a radio on timers, you can give the appearance that someone is home. Stagger them so that they come on for a few hours at different times of the day and night.
Shut The Water Off
If you are traveling during the winter, shutting the water off prevents freeze-ups and burst pipes. After the water is off, flush the toilet and add a few cups of marine anti-freeze. That will ensure that if any water is still below the bowl, it won’t freeze and ruin your porcelain throne.
Test Your Sump Pump
If your basement has a sump pump, test it before you leave by tossing a bucket of water into it. If it malfunctions, you want to know that and repair or replace it before you leave. It’s worth the extra effort.
Maintain a Look of a Daily Presence
Get a trusted neighbor or family member to keep your veggie garden freshly watered. The presence of someone in your yard watering your garden is a great deterrent to potential thieves. Arrange for different times of the day.
A modern way to control many of these tasks is with a reliable app like www.vivint.com to monitor as well as control your home’s security. In Jacksonville, home security is very important as well as many other areas of the country. Consider your homes safety while you are away enjoying your European adventure.
Author Bio:
Brionna Kennedy is native to the Pacific Northwest, growing up in Washington, then moving down to Oregon for college. She enjoys writing on fashion and business, but any subject will do, she loves to learn about new topics. When she isn’t writing, she lives for the outdoors. Oregon has been the perfect setting to indulge her love of kayaking, rock climbing, and hiking.
