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Before you leave, it's always a great idea to:
- Have newspaper and mail stopped or regularly picked up by a trusted neighbor
- Ask a trusted neighbor to check on your home
- Make sure a neighbor knows where the water main shut-off is located in the event of a broken pipe
- Set timers on interior lights to deter burglars
- Unplug TV, computer and appliances susceptible to lightning and power surges
- Advise your alarm company and local police if you will be gone for an extended vacation
- Take jewelry and valuable papers to a safe deposit box
- Turn off water valves to your washing machine, icemaker and dishwasher
- Arrange for lawn care while you are away
- Set the heat in your home to no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit(12 degrees Celsius)
- Allow hot and cold water to drip from faucets near outside walls
- Keep downspouts and gutters clear of debris
- Disconnect all garden hoses
- Locate and insulate pipes most susceptible to freezing. Typically those near outer walls, in crawl spaces and in the attic are the most vulnerable.
- Open cabinet doors to allow heat to reach uninsulated pipes under sinks and where appliances are near exterior walls
- Shut off and drain the water system in your home (except indoor sprinkler systems) before an extended vacation
- Consider installing a whole house water leak detection system to help prevent or reduce water damage resulting from a plumbing leak
