Going on vacation is one of the most enjoyable ways to spend your time, as well as an amazing way to do something new and exciting with your life. Depending on where you’re going and how long you’ll be staying on the road, every vacation is an opportunity to grow and learn new things about yourself and your life. However, this is possible only if you’re feeling safe and protected, which is why you have to think about protecting your home before hitting the road. Doing that won’t be easy, but it shouldn’t be too hard either, so if you want to learn about a few home-safety checks you can pay attention to before going on vacation, here are some ideas to consider.

Doors and Windows

This is the first thing you need to do when leaving your home, not just to go out of town, but whatever you’re doing and wherever you’re going. All your doors and windows need to be locked and secured because this is the most obvious point of entry for anyone trying to break into your home and steal your possessions. This is why every door and window you have must be double-checked, and that goes even for the windows that are brand new and that don’t seem too dangerous or suitable for burglars to use. Your back door, garage door, and bathroom window, as well as the windows on your upper floor, might seem too hard to use, but a great burglar could penetrate your home this way and walk around freely. Finally, make sure you install a security bar or a dowel if you have sliding doors, and this little trick will add a new layer of protection that could turn out to be quite useful while you’re away.

Timers for Lights

This is one of those handy tricks that seem too simple to work, but you’d be surprised to learn that tons of burglars don’t like breaking into houses that have timers for lights. The reason for that is quite simple - these timers are programmable and you can set them up quite practically so that they turn the lights out both inside your home and outside, thus creating the illusion that the house isn’t empty at all. This is enough for your home to remain safe while you’re away, and if you find a system that can be controlled remotely, you can do whatever you want and turn your lights on and off whenever you want. This will confuse potential burglars even more, and your home will remain safe until you get back from your vacation.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If your main goal isn’t to scare burglars away, but to protect your home and avoid problems and issues, you should think about investing your time and energy into smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. These things are very practical, and they can protect your home and your life in case something goes wrong, but this is only true if they’re installed and maintained properly. This is why you should think about finding an expert who knows all about complex electrical issues and can solve them quickly and effectively whenever you want. These people can test your detectors before you hit the road, make sure they’re working nicely, and replace batteries to avoid malfunctions while you’re not at home.

Thermostat

If you want to make sure that everything’s all right at home while you’re not there, you need to check your thermostat and its condition. If you want to be energy-efficient and responsible, you should set it to an energy-saving mode that might not look like a lot at first, but can make a huge difference in the long run. However, depending on when you’re traveling and how long you’ll be on the road, you need to make sure that the temperature you set doesn’t cause any permanent issues or damage. In the winter, you can discover frozen pipes when you return, and in the summer, your home can overheat, which is why paying close attention to your thermostat is vital. Finally, if you own one of those smart thermostats, you can always control it remotely and adjust it before getting back home, thus creating the perfect atmosphere for your return.

Unnecessary Electronics

Finally, just before leaving your home, remember to unplug all the electronic devices that won’t be used while you’re away. This includes your TVs, computers, kitchen appliances, phone chargers, and your washer and dryer. There are two reasons for this move: on the one hand, you’ll avoid accidents, power surges, and fire, while on the other, you can save a considerable amount of energy, especially if you’re away from home for a long time. Of course, this doesn’t include your fridge and freezer because these need to be plugged in at all times, but take some time to check their contents and look for perishable food that can spoil until you return.

In addition to these things, you can also shut off your water supply, install security cameras, have your mail delivered to another address, and let your neighbors know that you’re not at home. These things will keep your home safe, and you’ll feel amazing while traveling, so start checking these ideas out ASAP!