As warm weather begins to enter North America, and you begin to pack up and prepare to leave your seasonal home for the summer months, it's essential to ensure your property is protected and well-maintained during your absence. Proper preparation can help protect your home, preventing costly damage and keeping your home safe and secure. Here's a comprehensive guide and checklist to get your home ready before you migrate north.
Household Administration
Household administration involves managing essential tasks like organizing important documents, suspending services, and maintaining contact information. Protect your home by keeping critical records easily accessible ensuring quick decision-making and smooth handling of emergencies, even from afar.
Create an Essential Document Storage Box
Organize your everyday files into one clear plastic bin or an accordion folder that can easily be transported from one home to another.
Suspend Deliveries to Your House:
USPS mail: Arrange for mail forwarding. Enroll in the United States Post Office’s free online service, Informed Delivery.
Subscription Service Products: Suspend or transfer any monthly delivery services such as water, subscribe-and-save household items, pet food delivery services, fresh food recipe kits, and prescription medications.
Plan for Emergencies
Notify close friends/neighbors, property or community management, and the community security office of your departure date and estimated return date.
Explore Home Monitoring Options
Local Home Monitoring: Hire a Home Watch company or ask someone to check on your property every few weeks for problems, such as plumbing leaks or storm damage.
Remote Home Monitoring: Use smart home monitoring for things like lighting, temperature in the house, security, etc. Check your electricity and water bills for unusual changes in usage.
Essential Household Appliance Maintenance
You can protect your home by scheduling roof inspections, servicing HVAC systems and conducting household appliance maintenance. Adding Equipment Breakdown and Service Line insurance to your homeowners policy offers extra protection for costly repairs or replacements.
Deep Clean to Disinfect before Leaving:
It is important to do a thorough job cleaning, vacuuming, and disinfecting your home before you vacate to protect your home by preventing mold, mildew and bacteria growing and to deter pests.
Protect Against Household Pest Infestations
To protect your home against animal and pest infestations, seal entry points, clean thoroughly to remove food sources, and set traps or natural deterrents.
Safeguard Against Mildew and Mold
Protect your home against mold and mildew by controlling humidity levels, improving air circulation, and using moisture absorbers in enclosed spaces. Adding Limited Fungi, Wet or Dry Rot, Yeast or Bacteria Coverage to your homeowners policy can provide protection for remediation costs if issues arise.
(HVAC) Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
- Follow your A/C contractor’s and manufacturer guidelines for the recommended temperature settings. Most recommend a range between 78 and 85 degrees.
Prevent Interior Household Water Damage
Preventing interior water damage involves shutting off the main water supply, draining pipes, and installing leak detection systems. These steps help protect your home from costly leaks, flooding, and moisture-related issues.
Main water shut off
- Turn off the water main unless you have an automatic fire-sprinkler system.
Water Heater
- Drain all pipes, hot water valves, and the hot water heater/tank.
- Shut off the circuit breaker switches for the hot water heater.
Household Safety and Security Measures
Enhance home safety and security by installing alarm systems, using light timers, and securing all entry points with reinforced locks. Remote monitoring options offer peace of mind by allowing you to check your property from anywhere.
Protect Your Home
- Remember to add Flood Insurance to your policy.
- Complete a home inventory list by taking photos of all rooms
Prevent Break Ins
- Activate a monitored home security system including door and window sensors, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and cameras.
BONUS* Many insurers offer homeowner discounts for the installation of monitored home security systems.
- Lock all windows, exterior doors and sliding glass doors.
- Register with your local police department’s “Vacation House Watch” program.
Provide an Appearance of Occupancy
Homes that appear empty are prime targets for thieves. Here are a few ways you can make your home appear occupied even while you are away:
- Place interior/exterior lights on a timer to mimic regular home use.
- Ask a trusted neighbor or friend to check and remove any unexpected packages or items.
Include Exterior Maintenance:
- Bring patio furniture, cushions, hoses, loose decorative items, and doormats inside.
- Clean and secure outdoor grill and LP or propane tank outside.
- Document exterior condition with photos for easier insurance claims.
Remember Your Vehicle
Leaving Car/Golf Cart: Prepare it for long term storage. Add golf cart insurance to your homeowners policy to protect you on and off the greens.
Ya’ll Come Back Now
Whether you come to sunny Florida for a few weeks or the entire season, Florida Peninsula Insurance Company provides affordable homeowners insurance coverage add-ons to help protect your home. Contact your agent today to learn more about adding or reviewing your homeowners policy and additional coverage options. Not yet insured by Florida Peninsula? Get a quote online now. Happy travels and safe migration!
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