| It’s May in Phoenix, Arizona and it’s | | | | Regarding other appliances, put 2-3 tbsp. of |
| getting hot! You and your retired Snowbird | | | | vegetable oil in the dishwasher to keep the seals |
| friends are heading for a cooler climate. Here | | | | moist. Do not latch the door. Also put 2-3 tbsp. |
| are 35 strategies to help you secure your home | | | | of vegetable oil in the garbage disposal to help |
| for your departure. | | | | keep it from locking up. Remember to unplug |
| There are a number of general things to do in | | | | other appliances throughout the house. Open the |
| preparation for “flying north.” Make sure | | | | door on the clothes washer. |
| to update your emergency contact information | | | | With telephones turn off the ringers so thieves |
| with your Home Owners or Community | | | | can’t hear if no one is answering the phone. |
| Association including giving them the name of | | | | Don’t leave a message on the answering |
| your emergency key holder and who has a key. | | | | machine that tells callers you’re out-of-town. |
| If available, sign up for any Vacation Watch | | | | Instead, say you’re away from the phone |
| programs your community offers. Some police | | | | and you’ll get back to them. |
| departments have vacation check programs. | | | | To help add moisture for the furniture place |
| Notify them, and generally they will do a routine | | | | several 5 gallon buckets of water around the |
| check of the house. While some will only drive by | | | | house. Close blinds. If using timers, leave the |
| and look for suspicious activity, some will get out | | | | blinds open slightly to let light shine out so the |
| of their vehicles and inspect the grounds looking | | | | home looks occupied. Open all doors to rooms |
| for any break-ins. If contact information is left | | | | and closets to allow for air flow. |
| with the police, they can phone the homeowners | | | | Regarding water, in the bathrooms wrap toilet |
| if there has been a break-in or disturbance. | | | | bowls with cling wrap to keep the water from |
| Check to see if you need to renew your | | | | evaporating. Do not put bleach tablets in the |
| driver’s licenses and/or vehicle plates before | | | | tank. Turn off inside water valves at the washer, |
| leaving. | | | | under sinks, and at toilets. Valves like to be |
| Arrange for services such as landscaping, pest | | | | used. Better yet, shut off the main water valve |
| control and pool services if needed. Contact | | | | when leaving. |
| your internet provider and cable company to stop | | | | Change the furnace filter(s) especially if you are |
| service or start vacation hold. Arrange for mail | | | | leaving the A/C on. You could turn it off |
| forwarding and newspaper stop. Ask a neighbor | | | | completely but if not, set it to a high temperature |
| to pick up stray newspapers, flyers, packages | | | | (95) in the summer. Check / close fireplace |
| etc. and make sure that neighbor has your | | | | damper. Lock all doors and windows placing |
| contact information and a key. Ask the neighbor | | | | wood dowels in the tracks of sliders where |
| to park in your driveway occasionally to make | | | | possible. |
| the home looks occupied. Consider using a | | | | Outside the home pick the remaining ripe fruit |
| professional home watch company to care for | | | | from trees to avoid falling fruit accumulating under |
| your home. | | | | the tree. Trim trees and bushes away from the |
| If you have never done so, take photographs or | | | | house so as not to obscure windows and doors. |
| videos of all your expensive items. If needed | | | | Set the irrigation timer to the summer watering |
| this would be helpful for both the police and the | | | | cycle. Replace the 9v battery if not done so in a |
| insurance agency to identify the stolen goods. | | | | while. Drain water features and treat with |
| Store valuables in a place that a burglar could not | | | | appropriate chemicals to avoid mosquito |
| access. (i.e., take jewelry to a safe-deposit box, | | | | infestation. Store the patio furniture and |
| lock computers in closets, hide keys to extra | | | | barbecue grill in the garage. |
| cars, etc.) Be sure to remove all valuables from | | | | Speaking of the garage, disconnect the car |
| sight. | | | | battery. Leave golf cart batteries on trickle |
| In the kitchen remove food from the house to | | | | charge. Fill the golf cart batteries and car |
| discourage pests. Store staples such as sugar or | | | | battery. Turn the water heater to vacation or |
| flour in sealed metal, glass or thick plastic | | | | pilot. Disconnect hot water circulator or set it to |
| containers. The best refrigerator solution is to | | | | the off position. |
| turn it off, empty it and prop open the doors. | | | | Just before leaving shut off the house main water |
| The next best solution is to empty out items | | | | valve but do not touch the landscaping water |
| which will spoil and add items like bottles of water, | | | | valves. Unplug the garage door opener or lock |
| etc. to help retain the cold and help the unit use | | | | garage door. Turn on the security system if you |
| less energy. Don’t forget to turn off the ice | | | | have one. Double check that all doors and |
| maker and place a box of baking soda in the | | | | windows are locked making sure the door |
| refrigerator to absorb odors. If you have | | | | between the garage and the house is locked. |
| candles and plan to leave your refrigerator on, | | | | Leave by the front door and lock it! |
| place the candles in the fridge so they don’t | | | | Now you’re set to enjoy your trip! |
| soften during the summer. | | | | |