Yes remembering your toothbrush and swimsuit are important - but also is making sure your home is secure inside and out while you are gone. No reason to ruin a good vacation by coming home to a disaster. Here’s a checklist to remind you:

Secure the inside of your home

• Update your home security monitoring service to ensure it has your updated contact information
• Put valuables in a safe and hidden location
• Lock all your windows and close most of the shades.
• Put a timer on some of your lights
• Shut off your water at the main shut off
• Unplug expensive electronicsBottom of Form
• Also, to ensure you come home to a clean and fresh-smelling house, before you leave, clean your garbage disposal by running it and pouring in water and vinegar. Wash your dishes, dry out your sink, and throw out food that’ll spoil in the refrigerator.
• To save money, adjust your thermostat so it’s cooler than normal in winter and warmer than normal in summer.
  
  

Secure the outside of your home

• Move hidden spare keys inside your house while you’re gone
• Put your car in the garage
• Mow the lawn and trim the hedges
• Move ladders and other supplies a burglar could use to get to the second story
• Get your neighbors involved. To keep your home safe, there may be nothing better than having your neighbors keep an eye on it. Offer to do the same when they’re away. 
  ◦ Have them pick up ads and flyers that people stick on your door. Plus, put a vacation stop on newspaper delivery.
  ◦ Give your most trustworthy neighbor an extra key in case they need to get in
  ◦ Ask your neighbor to mow your lawn and trim your plants.
  ◦ Have them set out your trash cans, even if they’re empty.
  
  

Remember, you’ve worked hard to take your family on vacation. You shouldn’t spend your leisure time worrying about what’s going on at home.