Closing Your Vacation Home

Closing Your Vacation Home

Updated January 1, 1 . AmFam Team

When you leave your vacation home for a short time, use this checklist to make sure you’re protecting your dream while you’re away.

When you leave your vacation home, you want it exactly how you left it when you return. With just a little bit of planning, you can be confident that you’ve taken the right steps to protect it while you’re away. 


CLOSING CHECKLIST

A closing checklist is a great way to ensure your second home is secure when you come and go. Take a look!

Securing All Openings

Locking your doors and windows and setting your alarm goes without saying, but securing your outbuildings can often be overlooked.

Smoke Detectors

Checking the batteries in your smoke detectors is a smart habit to adopt to ensure that they're charged and ready.

Setting Thermostat For Savings

Setting your thermostat for 55 degrees for heat or 80 degrees for air conditioning will keep your second home at the optimal away setting.

Preventing Propane Tank Leaks

If you have a propane tank with a switch, turning it off guarantees you won’t have to worry about a gas leak while you’re away.

Unplugging

Unplugging appliances not in use, especially the television, can reduce energy use and help avoid any electrical mishaps.

Keeping Windows From Wasting Energy

Closing shades can cut down on cold air coming in and warm air escaping.

Food

Removing perishable food will keep unwanted houseguests, like mice, from paying you a visit.

Removing Trash to Keep It From Ripening

The last thing you want to come back to is smelly trash. Removing the trash and recycling will help keep your vacation home free of unwanted odors and pests.

Covering Outdoor Items

Storing or covering outdoor furniture and grills will protect them against the elements.

Keeping Basements Dry

Checking to make sure your sump pumpis plugged in and working will keep unwanted water out of the basement.

Closing up your vacation home for a whole season – or the winter? Get peace of mind with long-term tips for Securing Your Vacation Home or our Home Hibernation Checklist.

 

Tools & Resources

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