To ensure everything is in order while you are away and your home is unattended, you need to plan ahead.
A garden, for instance, is a significant investment, and you wouldn’t want to get back from a couple of weeks of relaxation to find that the lawn and plants are in bad condition.
Before you leave, you need to ensure that your irrigation system is in order and the timer is set to water the garden at regular intervals – in the early mornings or late afternoons.
- Check that all the automatic sprinklers are working and that there are no signs of corrosion on the primary connection pipe.
- Check that the pop-up sprinklers work and that there are no leaking pipe joints.
Checklist
Other items you should check before you leave:
- Top up the prepaid electricity, so there is no risk of the freezer defrosting or the pool turning green while you are away.
- If your pool has a salt-water chlorinator, top up the salt. If there is no chlorinator, get a floating chlorinator to keep the pool in good condition.
- To avoid possible plumbing or water damage problems while you are away, turn off the water supply to the toilets, washing machine and dishwasher.
- Check that the geysers are in good condition. If you suspect there is a problem, have them checked by a registered plumber.
- Switch off the geyser breaker on the mains distribution board.
Security
One of the top concerns for most people leaving their homes to go on holiday is security.
- It is good practice to test the alarm and check the alarm system battery. Before testing it, phone the security firm and tell them what you plan to do so that they can let you know if the signal comes through. Be sure to check the sensors at all entrances, make sure all the zones are working correctly, and nothing touching the electric fence could cause false alarms.
- Lock all the cupboards and inter-leading doors to make burglars more difficult if they manage to get into your home. Make sure you have the keys to all these doors and label them so that you don’t have difficulty getting in when you get back.
- Ideally, it would help if you left a key and a remote for the gate or garage door with a neighbour or a friend living nearby. Then, they will be able to allow the security firm or fire department to enter your property in the event of an emergency. Remember to give their contact details to the security firm.
- To make your absence from home as inconspicuous as possible, arrange for post mails to be cleared from the post box daily and cancel newspaper subscriptions for the time you will be away.
- Set a few timers to switch lights inside the house on and off when you would usually have them on when you are at home.
With a bit of careful planning, you will be able to leave your home empty and enjoy a carefree holiday.