Vacation Checklist

Before You Leave
  1. Notify the Post Office to hold your mail or arrange with a friend or neighbor to have it picked up daily.
  2. Make arrangements to have your lawn mowed and watered while you are gone (In the winter arrange to have your walk and driveway shoveled). Have someone check daily to remove newspapers and circulars from your doorway and yard.
  3. Take care not to widely announce that you will be out of town.
  4. Have a friend or neighbor place your garbage cans out on the normal pick-up day and then return them promptly after the garbage has been collected.
  5. Take small high value items (jewelry, keepsakes etc.) to your bank and place in your safe deposit box. Deposit extra cash in your bank account.
  6. Repair any broken windows, door locks and window locks.
  7. Move ladders, tools, lawn implements and lawn furniture to your garage or storage shed.
  8. Leave information of your travel plans with a trusted friend/neighbor. Include when you are leaving, where you are going, where you will be staying, when you expect to return, telephone numbers where you may be reached and the license number and description of your vehicle.
The Day You Leave
  1. Set your thermostat so that your furnace or air conditioner will maintain a reasonable temperature (80° in the summer and 55° in the winter).
  2. Make sure all gas appliances are in good working order and that the pilot lights are working. Unplug unnecessary appliances.
  3. Turn down the volume control on your telephone so it cannot be heard from the outside.
  4. Lock all doors, windows and sliding glass doors (place wooden piece in slide track to prevent door from opening). Lock your garage door.
  5. Put window shades in the normal daytime positions and make sure that all main floor drapes, shades and curtains are arranged so that neighbors and police can see into your house.
  6. If you are leaving a vehicle in your driveway, make sure that it is locked.
  7. Set your electric timer to turn some lights on and off during the evening hours. Radios/TVs can also be set on timers.
  8. Make sure the last person out locks the door. Then take a walk around the house to check all doors and windows.
  9. Leave your key with a neighbor or relative. Make sure that you have their telephone number.
  10. Notify the Sheriff's Office of your absence.
  11. Do not leave a message on your phone indicating that you are on vacation or out of town.
  12. When you return home notify everyone who has been watching your home that you are back.