Closing Up Your Home

Closing Up your Home For an Extended Time

 ELECTRICITY – The main breaker can’t be disconnected if you expect to run your refrigerator/freezer, pool equipment, air-conditioner and humidistat (and possibly your ceiling fans to keep the air moving) while you are gone. UNPLUG all appliances like the toaster, microwave, computer, and television. (Remove crumbs from toaster. Insects will find them during your absence.) POOL HEATER can be turned off at the outside box. WATER – If you run your irrigation system and/or need water available for your pool, you cannot disconnect the main water source to your home. However, you can turn off the water to your washing machine and water heater, outdoor kitchen, sinks and toilets. TOILETS – Put ½ cup bleach in the bowl water to prevent mold and mildew. Lift up the seat and place saran wrap over the commode. This prevents water evaporation and traps sewer gases. WATER HEATER – For absences of a month or more, turn off breaker to the water heater. For shorter periods, turn thermostat to lowest setting. WASHING MACHINE – Turn off water to prevent pressure damage to hoses. REFRIGERATOR/FREEZER – Clean out your refrigerator/freezer. If you are not disconnecting it, it will remain cold at a warmer setting. Fill plastic bottles with water and place in freezer to take up space and provide ice during power outages. Lift the arm on the icemaker to stop making ice as the ice will melt quickly during a power outage. If you turn the refrigerator off, clean the interior with a solution of one tablespoon of baking soda in one quart of water, and dry thoroughly. Leave the doors open. AIR CONDITIONER/HEAT – Leave on automatic setting. Set air conditioner and humidistat according to the directions. Experts suggest setting the thermostat at 80 in the summer. In the winter, set the furnace to at least 65 degrees. Check to make sure the filter is clean: and replace it if it is not. Set humidistat at 50. VENTILATION – Leave interior doors, including closet doors open for proper ventilation. Consider running ceiling fans on the lowest setting. FLOORS – Sweep or vacuum to remove crumbs to prevent an ant problem. SPRAY for bugs and put out ant traps. LANAI – Bring in EVERYTHING from the lanai. During hurricane season absolutely anything may become airborne and become a destructive missile. Empty summer kitchen refrigerator, turn it off and leave the door a jar. TRASH – If you will miss your trash day, ask a neighbor to combine it with theirs. If you put your carts out, arrange for someone to return your carts to the inside of the garage. PHONES can be unplugged, or keep one on for emergency use. CABLE, INTERNET & TELEPHONE – Check to see if it is possible to put your cable, Internet and telephone service on “hold”. There will be a reconnection charge. ALARM SYSTEM – Assure system is working and activate it before leaving. STORM SHUTTERS – Close and secure shutters. LOCK all doors and windows. Place plastic poles in sliding door tracks to prevent opening. GARAGE DOORS – Manually lock automatic garage doors. LIGHT TIMERS – Make the house look lived in. Set automatic timers for interior lights at staggered hours. MAIL – Notify post office to either HOLD your mail (for 30 days or less) or FORWARD your mail (up to a year). BILLS – Make arrangements to have your bills paid. NEWSPAPERS – Stop all newspapers. Ask a neighbor if they will pick up the free shopper’s papers so they don’t collect and advertise that there is no one home. KEEP UP – Naples News online www.naplesnews.com You can register for Digital Digest – sent daily via email. HOUSE CHECKER – If you don’t have a relative, friend or neighbor who will check your home regularly, hire someone to do so. NEIGHBOR – Inform a neighbor you are leaving and how to reach you while you are gone. It’s a good idea to leave a key with a neighbor for emergencies. Ask if they will remove any shopper’s papers or flyers that are left at your home. EMERGENCY CONTACT – Fill out the form and give it to the Communications Committee. Update as needed. WHEN YOU RETURN . . . Restore services that had been discontinued. CREATING A ROUTINE EACH TIME YOU LEAVE YOUR HOME FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME CAN REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF A DISASTER AND KEEP WORK TO A MINIMUM WHEN YOU RETURN. [printfriendly]