If you’re planning a summer vacation away from home, whether for a weekend at the Lake or a couple weeks at the beach, here’s a few tips to make sure your house stays safe and secure.

Clean your frig: remove anything from your refrigerator and freezer that won’t keep until your return. There’s nothing like coming home to a kitchen full of fuzzy veggies and spoiled milk. Yuck! Go through the pantry while you’re at it and decide if that half loaf of bread will still be tasty when you get back–if not, stash it in the freezer for safe keeping.

Empty the trash: make sure any stinky trash makes it out the door. If you’re leaving town right before trash day, set your trash cans out near the garage or side of the house and ask a neighbor to pull it to the curb for you. If you’re leaving right after a trash day, carefully consider any garbage you make. A very small bag of garbage can be put on hold in your freezer, just remember that it’s there when you return.

Do the dishes: no one likes to come home to dirty dishes, so empty your sink and run the dishwasher before you go.

Unplug: check your household electronics. Do you have an automatic coffee maker that keeps the water warm? Turn it off. Also check that your iron is unplugged. If you’re feeling especially paranoid, you can unplug your washer and drier and turn off the water supply to them to avoid any unexpected plumbing problems.

Set your alarms: alarm clock radios, that is. Use the radio setting on alarm clocks to make a little noise during the day so you house doesn’t sound empty. Check your tv for a similar auto setting and have it turn on (and off!) during the evening–especially the light from the tv is visible from a window.

Get a timer: like the radio and tv, you can set lights to go on a off with a plug in timer. If you leave lights on in the house without a timer, it will be pretty obvious that you’re not home when they stay on at all hours. Same with your porch light–if you don’t normally leave it on all night, don’t do it while you’re not home.

Set the blinds: Keep your blinds where you normally would. Having all your curtains pulled tight might look too obvious that you’re not home. Keep blinds tilted partially open, like you would to allow a little light in, but still keep your privacy.

Plant life: if you’re on a weekend get away your plants should be ok without attention. Give them a big drink before you go, or buy an automatic watering bulb. If you’re planning a long trip, ask a neighbor to water any plants in your yard or porch. Indoor plants should be trusted to a close friend or relative who you trust with a key.

Mail and papers: while that trusted relative or friend is watering your plants, ask them to bring in the mail and clear your lawn of papers. They don’t need to come by every day, just enough to make sure your box doesn’t get over stuffed. You could also ask the post office to hold your mail if you’re going away for a long trip.

Tidy up: make the beds, dust the living room, run the vacuum and do a general clutter patrol of your home before you go. Imagine how exhausted you’ll be when you return, and much more welcoming your home will feel if its waiting for you neat and tidy.

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