Anonymous
Post 12/21/2022 08:54     Subject: Tips for leaving the house over the holidays
Anonymous wrote:The people who think it’s paranoid to turn off the water have never come home to a flooded house. I have, and I know multiple other people who have done so, as well. It’s not that rare.

I came home from work one day to a flooded basement due to a broken pipe (into the basement toilet). I was gone for nine or ten hours! The fittings to the toilets and to the washing machine seem to be the weakest--have them checked and replace with sturdy, steel-clad hoses if not already.
Anonymous
Post 12/21/2022 08:51     Subject: Re:Tips for leaving the house over the holidays
Why would you even need to freeze milk? If left unopened, pasteurized milk lasts a long time. I have a carton in my fridge right now with a January 27th expiration date.
Anonymous
Post 12/21/2022 08:46     Subject: Tips for leaving the house over the holidays
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I don't get why people leave lights on. isn't this an indication that you're not home? When you turn off all the lights every night except when you aren't there?


You do not just "leave them on."

You put a lamp or a couple of lamps on timers so they are only on during the hours for which you set on the timer. Staggering times is useful to make a house look lived-in: Maybe a living room light goes on at 6 and stays on until 11 or 12 and then switches off. Maybe in addition, a bedroom light goes on at 11 and stays on until 1 a.m. or whatever. The point is NOT to have the whole house blazing away with light from inside ALL night long.

I'm kind of amazed that several posters do not seem to get this. Someone also posted how it's a fire hazard to leave lights on all the time. That's not what anyone with sense is doing! And yes, lights on all night every night does advertise that no one's home, but lights going on and off in rooms people would usually use in the evenings looks realistic. Before someone decides to say, but but but...burglars will figure out the timings: If any burglars are THAT determined that they're sitting outside a house monitoring various lights' on and off times over a couple of nights to see if the times are the same...hell, they're welcome to come on in. /s

Timers are maybe $18-$30 at any home store and many grocery stores and drugstores. Easy to use. We use them and mix up the times in a couple of rooms, when away even overnight and especially on longer trips. Set it and forget it. By the way -- our local cops (suburban DC) advise residents to use lights on timers when away from home. So it's not just crazy old me, it's the cops saying a house with lights is one that looks lived in.



You are giving this way, way, too much thought. Good lord.
Anonymous
Post 12/21/2022 08:34     Subject: Tips for leaving the house over the holidays
The real question is do house burglaries happen that often?

Don't get me wrong, still lock up and such, but it seems like the crime is mostly car break-ins where it is much easier and faster to grab-and-go things like purses, cash, cc, electriconics, and even catalytic converters.

I frequently read posts on Nextdoor about stolen packages and car break-ins .

House break-ins nit so much
Anonymous
Post 12/21/2022 08:19     Subject: Tips for leaving the house over the holidays
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I don't get why people leave lights on. isn't this an indication that you're not home? When you turn off all the lights every night except when you aren't there?


Many of us don’t. I grew up with my dad putting various lights downstairs on timers throughout the night. We always have left a small light or lamp on in the kitchen or living room all night. Partly habit. I’m not sure if my father was preventing break ins or not wanting it completely dark if someone went downstairs. In my mind, it’s easy security.

We make sure one of our cars in parked in the driveway rather than street or garage if we are away.


I used to do this when DH was out of town until he asked “why are you lighting the way for them? If it’s dark they might fall or make noise?”. He had a point.


Your dh watches too much Home Alone
Anonymous
Post 12/21/2022 07:49     Subject: Tips for leaving the house over the holidays
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I don't get why people leave lights on. isn't this an indication that you're not home? When you turn off all the lights every night except when you aren't there?


Many of us don’t. I grew up with my dad putting various lights downstairs on timers throughout the night. We always have left a small light or lamp on in the kitchen or living room all night. Partly habit. I’m not sure if my father was preventing break ins or not wanting it completely dark if someone went downstairs. In my mind, it’s easy security.

We make sure one of our cars in parked in the driveway rather than street or garage if we are away.


I used to do this when DH was out of town until he asked “why are you lighting the way for them? If it’s dark they might fall or make noise?”. He had a point.