Checklist

  • Find and hire a reputable house sitting service to check on and maintain an appearance of occupancy while you are away.
  • Notify your home insurance broker/company and find out what is required to maintain your full insurance coverage in your absence.
  • Stash your valuables in a safe or leave them with a trusted friend, neighbor or relative for safe keeping. This should include important documents, jewelry, spare keys.
  • Install motion activated lighting around your home. Many of these lights are now solar powered and can be mounted anywhere around your home, particularly if your driveway/entrance are not well lit.
  • DO NOT broadcast your absence to everyone, or on social media. It might seem like a good idea to post that picture or video for your friends at the time, but DO NOT post anything about your trip until you have returned. Strictly tell ONLY people you trust.
  • Installation of timers on some of your lights/lamps increases the appearance of people present in your home and can deter a would-be thief.
  • Keep your property well maintained in the days leading up to your absence.
  • Set up call forwarding.
  • Make sure a vehicle is parked in your driveway, either yours or a neighbor. Have it repositioned in your driveway from time to time by your house sitter or a trusted neighbor. Make sure the vehicle FOB is either stored in an RFID secured box and/or stored off site with a house sitter, friend, relative or neighbor. It is best to have “The Club” or similar steering wheel locking system installed.
  • Have your mail held at the post office or have it collected by a neighbor or your house sitter.
  • In the even you are hiring a house sitter, be sure to leave important contact information for while you are away including:
    • Contact cellphone number and email while you are away.
    • Service people in case a problem should arise in your home including:
      • Plumber
      • Electrician
      • Fire Department
      • Alarm System passcode and Security System Company.
  • Have garbage and recycling placed at the curb by your house sitter or neighbor, even if it’s not actually your items that are placed there.
  • Unplug all unnecessary appliances and electronics while you are away in case of an electrical storm. Any remaining items should be plugged into a surge protector power bar (if applicable).
  • Make sure all items in your front and backyard are secured or stowed away in case of a wind storm of any kind (ie: high winds, tornado, microburst, etc.)
  • Indoor plants should be moved away from direct sunlight so they won’t require as much watering in your absence and won’t dry out.
  • Turn off your pool heater or heat pump and lower the temperature of your hot tub.
  • Turn off your air conditioning. In winter lower your heat to 15 degrees centigrade.
  • Lock your garage door and disconnect the door opener (stow away your garage door opener in an RFID box).
  • Make sure all windows are closed and locked, and lock all doors. Make sure your alarm system is turned ON as you leave your home.