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14 Home Safety Essentials To Do Before Your Winter Travel Escape
Traveling during the winter months can be as exciting as discovering an extra marshmallow in your hot chocolate, but let’s be honest, leaving your home unchecked is a recipe for disaster. You want to return to a house that’s not crying icicles or throwing a party for burglars, right?
Well, there’s a fine art to winter prep, and while it doesn’t involve wearing a wizard’s hat, it’s serious business. From safeguarding your castle against freezing temperatures to ensuring nothing goes full “freezer malfunction mode,” there’s a to-do list longer than your winter scarf to tackle.
So, before you dash off to conquer new wonderlands and sip overpriced airport lattes, take a moment to show your humble abode some love – it’ll be your first step towards enjoying a stress-free vacation.
Inspect Your Heating System
As thrilling as frosty escapes can be, a functioning heating system at home is crucial for a serene return. You don’t want to come back to a house where the couch has become an ice sculpture, right?
Have a trusted HVAC technician perform a tune-up – or channel your inner handyman – to ensure the system doesn’t take a vacation while you’re away. Trust me, nothing screams “welcome home” like warmth and a coffee that doesn’t turn to slush mid-sip.
Leave Cabinet Doors Open
It’s time to play the game of “keep those pipes cozy.” Leaving your cabinet doors open might seem like you’re inviting in a breeze, but it’s actually a masterstroke in home protection.
By allowing warm air to circulate around kitchen and bathroom pipes, you’re preventing them from throwing a tantrum and freezing up like the iced-over windshield you left behind – especially if they are on an outer wall. Consider it a seasonal hack that keeps your home from staging its own winter meltdown.
Leave Faucets Dripping
Here’s a fun idea: embrace the art of the drip! Letting your faucets maintain a slight, strategic drip in those chilly, unheated areas can work wonders. And this little trick prevents your pipes from freezing up like they just saw their ex.
It’s all about keeping the water flowing, even if it’s more of a sluggish shuffle than a sprint. So, unleash the power of the drip and save your pipes from their frosty fate.
Set The Thermostat
Don’t let your house take a vacation from staying warm. It doesn’t have to feel like a beach holiday at 80 degrees when you’re gone, but set your thermostat to at least a moderate 55 degrees. This will keeps your pipes from turning into ice pops.
After all, frozen pipes are about as fun as a surprise Arctic expedition…minus the cute reindeer. Keep things running smoothly, because no one enjoys unplanned indoor ice skating.
Unplug Non-Essential Electronics
While you’re away sipping hot cocoa in your winter retreat (or having pina coladas on the beach), don’t forget to save your electronics from their electric fate. Protect your devices from potential power surges caused by winter storms by unplugging all those non-essential gadgets.
The last thing you want is to return to find your beloved coffee machine has joined the digital afterlife. Plus, unplugging helps conserve energy, keeping your bills from skyrocketing while you’re off exploring.
Cover Outdoor Pipes
Banish the notion of bursting pipes by giving them the equivalent of their own little winter jacket. By wrapping outdoor pipes and faucets in insulation, you’ll keep the icy villain known as freezing at bay.
And it’s not just for their comfort but for the well-being of your entire plumbing system. So skip having to call the handyman on speed dial and say goodbye to unexpected waterworks, and prepare to instead feast on local delicacies without these chilly worries.
Arrange For Snow Removal
Nothing spoils a trip faster than returning to a driveway more suited for penguins than parking. So arrange for a trusty neighbor or the local snow-removal crew to tackle that frosty menace while you’re off relishing snow-free adventures.
This way, you dodge the monumental task of shoveling upon your return. It also ensures that your home doesn’t look abandoned, lowering the chances of it becoming a hotspot for wannabe burglars.
Dispose Of Perishable Food
Perishable food can be a ticking time bomb in your absence. Clear out or store anything that might turn your fridge into a biohazard zone if there’s an unexpected blackout. It’s wise to use or donate these items…unless you fancy returning to a smell that makes your eyes water.
Say goodbye to wilting vegetables and mystery odors, and hello to a pristine fridge. Bonus: this frees up space for stocking winter goodies like Aunt Julie’s weird fruitcake upon your return.
Check Windows And Door Seals
Let’s talk door and window detective work because drafts are sneaky little devils. Secure all battlefronts by checking seals to ensure your cozy home doesn’t hemorrhage heat like it’s auditioning for a disaster movie.
Locking in warmth means saying adios to those unwelcome breezes and helping your heating system work smarter, not harder. And fewer chills will make your return feel more like home sweet heated home rather than a frosty greeting.
Store Outdoor Furniture
Guarding your patio treasures against nature’s wrath? Absolutely genius! Storing or securely fastening outdoor furniture, grills, and any decorations is like giving them a winter retreat from the relentless elements.
We’re talking about avoiding a chaotic game of lawn Jenga when those blustery winds arrive. And really, nothing adds insult to injury like finding your favorite chair playing hide-and-seek…with the snowdrifts.
Close The Fireplace Flue
Avoid turning your house into an igloo by making sure your fireplace flue is closed tight. Otherwise, you might find your lovely living room morphing into a wind tunnel or home for migrating Canada geese.
The flue is your best ally against those pesky drafts – keeping warmth inside where it belongs. So, consider it a noble knight standing guard, preventing your fireplace from sabotaging your attempts to remain toasty while you’re away exploring new horizons.
Pause Deliveries
Nothing like a stack of packages to announce “nobody’s home” like it’s a tacky neon sign. Pausing those subscription boxes and deliveries can throw off any wannabe porch pirates. And it avoids the mess of dealing with soggy, snow-covered boxes that look like refuse from a shipwreck.
Save yourself the post-vacation cleanup and make sure to hit pause on your incoming parcel parade – because no one likes stepping over cardboard mountains on their doorstep.
Stock Up On Ice Melt
Ah, the joys of returning to an icy wonderland. Before you depart, be sure to stash some ice melt or sand within arm’s reach. Your future self will thank you when it’s time to combat those treacherous walkways with expert precision on your return.
No one wants to channel their inner figure skater while juggling luggage; it’s a balancing act reserved for circus performers…not practical, sensible folks like us. Safety first – glide later!
Notify A Trusted Neighbor
If you’ve got a trusty neighbor, it’s time to deputize them as your house’s guardian while you’re off on adventures. Let them know you’ll be away and ask them to keep an eagle eye on the place.
They’re basically your real-life security cam, minus the recorded footage…but with added concern (and maybe cookies). This proactive move ensures any unexpected issues are promptly reported, so you can relax, knowing your residence is under watchful eyes.
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