Are you going on vacation any time soon? Before you leave on vacation, there are a few things you need to do.
1. Make sure someone is coming over to feed the humming birds.
2. If you’re not taking your pets, arrange for either a pet sitter or good boarding.
3. Arrange to have your lawn mowed.
4. Let family know your schedule and contact information such as hotel name and number
5. Do not announce your vacation on social media like Facebook, Twitter, your blog.
6. Give someone you trust your house key so they can check your house every few days. Ask them to pick up any brochures or fliers that are delivered while you’re gone.
7. Stop the newspaper delivery.
8. Ask the USPS to hold your mail.
9. Turn the a.c. up to 78 or thereabouts. If you live in a humid area, consider turning it only two to four degrees above your normal setting. Don’t take a chance things will mildew.
10. Unplug computers, televisions, telephones; don’t trust surge protectors in case of storms.
11. Use timers on different lights in the house…living room in early evening, bedroom in late evening, kitchen in early morning.
12. Consider throwing circuit breakers to conserve energy.
13. Turn off water supply under sinks, to washing machine; if a water pipe bursts, it can be a nasty welcome when you return home.
14. If you have an attached garage, make sure to lock it securely before leaving and disconnect the remote control.
15. Make sure you have strong, secure locks on all windows and doors.
16. HAVE FUN!
Blessings ~ vacation ~ strong locks ~ FUN! ~
Excellent post…very helpful tips, too.
~Lisa
What a great, practical list Sandra! I often wonder at those who share that they will be away online…it just never seemed wise to me. 🙂 And yes…water should be turned off! A/C…what's that? (joking) We have the old fashioned fans in our neck of the woods…it rarely gets hot here. 🙂
Blessings to you!
Camille
Great tips! @Debby above – when we lived in Arkansas, we had a downy woodpecker nest (they hollowed out a tree branch). From what I read about them, the babies are very needy and spend a long time in the nest, screeching for their parents to feed them.
I think the parents after many, many weeks finally got sick of their kid freeloading and booted him out of the nest.
Not long after, I noticed this little woodpecker hanging off my hummingbird feeder – I knew it had to be that needy little woodpecker baby, because he had baby bird "hair" on the top of his head.
Longer story longer – he ate from that hummingbird feeder for a couple of years, until we moved. I failed to tell the new owners that the house came with a tenant!
We named him PCW – Problem Child Woodpecker.
Enjoy your PCW!
Great ideas!
We haven't had vacations for ages…but these are very good tips!!!
I hope you can go for a vacation and have fun!!! :o))
Hello Sandra:
All very sound advice and certainly worth following to ensure a stress free holiday.
The best part of it all is, of course, to have FUN!!
Your hummingbirds love you. How do you mix the nectar?
Great suggestions.
I haven't had a vacation in …….forgot.
This evening I noticed a downy woodpecker sitting on my hummingbird feeder enjoying the nectar. Sure did make the hummingbirds twitter! He didn't seem to mind! Good list! I'll make a copy because I will be going before too long!
Debbie
This evening I noticed a downy woodpecker sitting on my hummingbird feeder enjoying the nectar. Sure did make the hummingbirds twitter! He didn't seem to mind! Good list! I'll make a copy because I will be going before too long!
Debbie
Hi Sandra! Great vacation tips!
I hope you are keeping cool. Bless you, friend.