Special prep for house while on vaca?

[Pooh_Friend#1]

MaryAnnDVC!! No, my plants are just fine! Our piano has a humidity control unit that needs to have water added periodically. If it runs out and does not get replenished promptly, the pads will dry out and be ruined. It takes the piano technician to come out and replace them...so that is always on our to-do list before leaving town!

Wow, I can't even remember to water my plants. Now I have heard everything!!!!!!

 

[katerkat]

I sit down and take a moment to seriously think through my Tivo decisions.

 

[sweet angel]

I only really clean and do laundry. I unplug a lot of stuff normally so, it's nothing different. My water to the washer is on a switch anyway. My neighbors come in to feed, water and play with the dogs, so they grab the mail and put lights on and off.

That's about it!

 

[imsorry]

We unplug everything, except two lights that come on with timers.
Have the post office hold the mail til we get back. Shut off hot water heater.

 

[Southern4sure]

In addition to giving out #'s of where I'll be, cleaning out the fridge, watering plants, cleaning the house, unplugging tv's and such, stopping delivery of mail and newspaper I put alittle pine sol in each commode right before I leave. Sometimes I pour alittle bleach instead.

Depends how long Im gone, but occasionally I'll have the yard mowed.

 

[jennyl772003]

have post office hold mail
take out all the garbage
unplug TV, computer, etc
re set the thermostat
run the garbage disposal really well to make sure there is nothing in there (the stink that comes from food sitting in the pipes for a week is not a nice thing to come home to)
water plants
close all windows

 

[wdwmom2]

I clean the house. I can't stand coming home to a dirty house, what a depressing way to end a vacation!!

The biggest thing is to call our local police department and have them do a "vacation check". We live in town 3 houses away from the station. This way they know that we are gone, and can moniter whether anything suspicious may be occuring. They ask questions like if there are going to be any lights on, what cars will be parked in the driveway, etc. Just a little extra piece of mind while we are away!!!!!

 

[MScott1851]

I sit down and take a moment to seriously think through my Tivo decisions.

You aren't lying! The Grey's Anatomy season premier comes on while we're gone, and I LOVE Weeds on Sunday night too, and I forgot what it is, but something is coming on the Wednesday night while we're in WDW, and I need to figure it out so I can set the Tivo!

 

[pw2pp]

I had no idea that you are supposed to shut the water off. I don't even know HOW to do that (although my husband probably does).
We unplug alot of things, but I guess now we will start unplugging everything.

 

[MaryPA]

Take out trash.

Timers for lights.

Turn off water.

Put some ice cubes in a container in freezer. If we come home and they are still cubes, okay - if melted and refrozen in a block, I know the power went out and not to trust anything in Freezer or Fridge. I try not to have too much in there when we go away but it is not always possible.

I was told once a long time ago by a police officer to see if someone could pick up mail and newspapers for you because no mailman stopping at your house could be a "sign".