Advice on preparing homes before leaving for vacation: Here's what's most important to check

As vacation planning intensifies, IKEA Interior Design Manager Morta Bučinskienė advises homeowners to prepare their residences before departing to ensure comfort and security upon return. Simple steps taken before leaving can significantly contribute to peace of mind during a holiday.

Bučinskienė emphasizes that home preparation extends beyond locking the door. Tidying up, unplugging non-essential appliances from electrical outlets, and ensuring items are in their proper places are crucial. These habits not only allow for a more relaxed vacation but also ensure a pleasant return to an orderly home environment. For those seeking enhanced security, smart home technologies like sensors and smart lighting offer remote monitoring capabilities.

To make the return more pleasant, Bučinskienė suggests preparing the home beforehand. This includes having clean linens, organized rooms, clean surfaces, and taking out the trash. Planning for food supplies, such as stocking the refrigerator with non-perishable items, having frozen meals ready, or arranging grocery delivery for the return day, can ease the transition back to daily life.

Reducing electricity consumption and mitigating potential hazards are also key. Many appliances draw power even when not in use; unplugging small kitchen appliances, entertainment systems, and other electronics before leaving can save energy and provide reassurance. Preventing water damage is another critical point. Ensuring all taps are properly turned off and inspecting areas around sinks, dishwashers, and washing machines can avert potential issues. Water leak sensors connected to smart home systems can provide immediate alerts to a smartphone, enabling quick action even when away.

Finally, creating the illusion of occupancy can deter potential intruders. Smart lighting systems can be programmed to turn on and off automatically, mimicking daily routines. Door, window, and motion sensors offer further remote monitoring, sending notifications to homeowners' phones to keep them informed about their home's status while they are away.

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Preparing for vacation doesn't end with locking the door. Before leaving, it's worth tidying up the house, unplugging unused appliances from the electrical outlet, and ensuring everything is in its place. Such simple habits not only help to enjoy rest more calmly but also to return to a pleasant environment. For those who want an additional sense of security, various smart home solutions can be useful, such as sensors or smart lighting, which allow monitoring the situation at home even when far away.