How to Get Your Home Ready When Leaving for Winter Vacation

Heating & Lighting

• Set your heating thermostat to 55 degrees to prevent moisture condensation and protect your home interior against freezing. Open the doors of sink base and vanity cabinets to allow heat to reach pipes along walls. Use timers to switch lights on and off at random intervals at night to suggest someone is at home. If you have a fireplace, make sure the damper is closed to prevent the escape of heat. Arrange with your power and heating fuel suppliers to have bills sent to your vacation address or arrange for online or automatic bill payments.

Electrical

• Unplug all nonessential electrical equipment such as home electronics and household appliances to protect them against power surges. Most of these devices draw power even when turned off so unplugging them will reduce your electric bills. For extended periods away from home, you may want to remove all food from the refrigerator and freezer, unplug the units and clean their interiors. Leave the doors propped open to prevent mildew.

Plumbing

• In cold climates, you need to prepare plumbing for freezing temperatures in case the heat goes out. At a minimum, close the main water supply shutoff valve for the house at the meter or supply pipe. If you will be away all winter, you should do more. Drain your pipes by opening all the faucets, starting from the topmost floor and working down to the basement or lowest floor. Turn off the gas or electric supply to your water heater. Allow the unit to cool, then connect a garden hose to the heater tank's drain valve and let the water empty into a floor drain or outdoors. Add non-toxic recreational-vehicle storage antifreeze to your toilet and sink drain traps. Don’t use automotive antifreeze, which is poisonous.

General Security

• Suspend delivery of mail and newspapers, and your garbage pickup. Arrange to have someone shovel snow from your driveway. Unplug your garage door opener. Hide your valuables in a safe or other secret, lockable place. Have a trusted friend or neighbor check your house periodically while you are away. Make sure they have a key and home alarm operating codes. Provide them with a way to contact you in an emergency. If you have more than one person checking on your house, make sure each one is aware of the other person. Let your local police and any alarm security company know you will be away.