Recommended Do’s & Don’ts
- Basic instructions or guide from the homeowner in cases of an emergency.
- Provide relevant phone/fax numbers, house keys, keyless entry code number, gate pass number, etc. to enter development/home.
- Check phone message machine, revise message, if necessary. Don’t leave the message that you’re out-of-town!
- Stop or forward mail. Stop newspaper and all other deliveries.
- Check batteries used by smoke/carbon monoxide alarms and insure security system is set. Notify alarm/security monitoring company of travel plans. Furnish them with contact names and phones numbers.
- Adjust A/C or heat to desired temperatures; summer months; 85+ degrees F. For every degree raised on your thermostat, you can lower energy cost by 3%-5%
- Open all interior closet/cabinet doors.
- Install timer-on lights, both inside and outside the home; use 2-3 light system should one of the light bulbs burn out.
- Flush all toilets.
- Check to insure all windows and doors are secure;
- Secure, remove, or store all exterior items such as chairs, tables, umbrellas, etc.
- Contact utility and cable/dish companies to request suspension of your service;
- Notify homeowners association;
- Maintain a list of phone numbers of contractors, friends, neighbors, and house checker including their work numbers for emergency contacts.
- Check for tickets, medications, glasses, passports/visas, photo ID’s and money before you walk out the door.
- Arrange for lawn care/mowing/weed control, and watering while gone to avoid calling attention to an unattended house.
- Do not hide things – house key under the mat, etc. Secure jewelry and other valuables.
- Remove or move plants as required and arrange with friends/family for their watering.
- Check irrigation system for exterior plants health, contact landscape maintenance company. Recommend regular checks, every 2 months, of the irrigation system;
- Check automatic water system for pool.
- Check doors, windows and locks. Don’t overlook locking pet doors and the door between the garage and main house.
- If leaving a car(s) and/or golf cart in the garage disconnect the battery to avoid drainage, follow auto manufacturer’s suggestions.
- Consider disconnecting the receiver of electric garage door openers or engaging the manual lock on the door. Electric doors can possibly be opened by other electronic devices. Remove door openers and valuables from cars if parked outside.
- Unplug expensive home electronics, computers and other devices that might be damaged by a power surge. Disconnect Internet access to computers.
- Shutoff the refrigerator(s). Should you decide to leave the refrigerator running it is recommended to remove all perishables from refrigerator(s)/freezer(s). It is suggested to store water bottles/soda in fridge and bags of ice in freezer. Set temperature to manufacturers recommendations. Shutoff ice maker/water valve, if you leave the refrigerator running.
- Shut off the main water supply valve.
- Shut off water lines to washing machines.
- Check to see that the gas to the dwelling or stove/dryer is turned off.
- Make sure all appliances are turned off/unplugged; stove, oven, coffeemaker, etc.
- Shutoff valve that sits on top of the RO tank.
- Hot-water tank; shut-off, or turn temperature down (vacation), or shut-off and drain the tank. Water tanks should be drained once a year to remove deposits.
- It is not necessary to disconnect/unplug the water softener and circulating pump
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