Tips for leaving the house over the holidays

[Anonymous]

This is going to be our first time ever going on vacation bringing dog with us, and therefore leaving the house empty. These are the things we are planning on doing before leaving. Anything I am missing?
-Set outdoor lights to automatic timer
-Turn off water to house and drain faucets
-Put hot water heater in pilot mode
-Set thermostat to 65

[Anonymous]

Mail and newspaper stops. Also, make sure neighbors are on the lookout for unexpected packages.

[Anonymous]

I've heard it recommended to leave at least one light on indoors or set up a lamp on a timer

[Anonymous]

Leave a radio on to a talk station. No one wants to hear voices on break in,

[Anonymous]

How long will you be gone? We don’t do any of this. We empty fridge of food that will go bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've heard it recommended to leave at least one light on indoors or set up a lamp on a timer

Leaving a light on for a week feels like a fire hazard, no?

[Anonymous]

You can turn thermostat lower...like 60. It is going to be cold this year. Might as well save some heating costs.

[Anonymous]

Thermostat to 60 rather than 65.

A light or two on timers is a decent idea. Also, if you know your neighbors let them all know you’ll be gone.

Have someone take your trash to the curb and pull it back in.

[Anonymous]

Also, take down any greenery like a live tree that could dry out and be a fire hazard.

[Anonymous]

Don't forget Kevin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can turn thermostat lower...like 60. It is going to be cold this year. Might as well save some heating costs.

This. But open any vanities if you have pipes on outside walls. Turn off water to the outside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard it recommended to leave at least one light on indoors or set up a lamp on a timer

Leaving a light on for a week feels like a fire hazard, no?

Not really. Electric lighting is a pretty mature technology as this point.

[Anonymous]

I've seen lots of people who can't handle the basics of life on DCUM, but "How do I leave the house" really takes the cake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've seen lots of people who can't handle the basics of life on DCUM, but "How do I leave the house" really takes the cake.

Geez, you sound nice. Asking people what precautions they take when leaving for an extended period of time is not strange.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mail and newspaper stops. Also, make sure neighbors are on the lookout for unexpected packages.

Not OP but thanks! We always travel at Christmas but I forgot to suspend the paper and just called.