Before You Leave: The 5 Things I Always Store Away Before Vacation

A few days away from home should be a thrilling experience. However, let’s face it, the last few hours before a trip are typically chaotic. You’re zipping up your baggage, checking flights again, and possibly shouting Have the plants been watered? In the meantime, your house is peacefully waiting to get lost in the hustle and bustle.

I’ve discovered over the years that even seemingly insignificant mistakes, like leaving a plug on or failing to conceal a spare key, can have serious consequences. I’m referring to the possibility of flooding, theft, fire, and potentially thousands of dollars in damages. It has nothing to do with paranoia. It’s all about intelligence. particularly when you’re out and unable to return quickly.

The five items I always keep or protect before leaving are listed in this guide. Not nebulous travel tips, but actual, doable actions founded on research, professional guidance, and—let’s face it—a few personal epiphanies.

This is for you if you want to leave your home with peace of mind and come back to it exactly as you found it.

1. Unplug Electronics You Don t Need On

More than 23,000 home fires were started by electrical problems last year. You don’t want to consider that statistic while enjoying a few cocktails on the beach.

I always go through every room before a vacation and unplug anything that isn’t necessary, such the TV, coffee maker, chargers, lamps, and even the washing machine. Not only to save electricity costs, but also to lessen the possibility of a power outage or fire while my absence.

It’s simple to speculate about what might go wrong. However, you risk significant harm if a cable overheats or your surge protector malfunctions when no one is home.

Nowadays, I also identify some plugs—yes, really. Even in the midst of the last-minute packing stress, I am reminded to disconnect the hair dryer and toaster by the stickers. Check out this list of electronics you should unplug before leaving to save energy and keep safe if you’re not sure which ones are the most dangerous. Although it sounds compulsive, it’s one less thing to think about while flying.

In 2023 alone, electrical malfunctions resulted in $1.6 billion in property losses, according to Investopedia’s analysis on holiday fire hazards.

So, yes, I unplug for two minutes, and I strongly advise you to do the same.

Before going on vacation, what is the one thing you never remember to unplug? I’m willing to wager that we have all overlooked something.

2. Put Away Valuables Even the Unexpected Ones

You most likely already have cash and jewels in your hoard. That’s excellent. What about your prescription medications, though? Or the expensive headphones on the bedside table? Or your office laptop in full view?

Burglars quickly seize what is valuable and apparent rather than taking their time perusing. Years ago, I discovered this the hard way when a friend returned home to discover that just her bathroom drawer was open. It turns out that the most popular resale commodities are prescription medications and high-end cosmetics.

I do a brief eye-level scan before I go. Looking around each room as if I don’t reside there, what catches my attention? What is simple to grasp? That’s what’s stored.

I keep valuables somewhere that doesn’t look like a hiding location, such beneath the bed or in the sock drawer. A locked file box in an unidentified cupboard in the kitchen? Much better.

The element that most people overlook is this: avoid posting on social media about your trip or new devices either before or during your trip. You can never tell who might be observing. Additionally, keep in mind that your garage is a typical place for thieves to enter. Most people overlook these seven clever techniques to secure your garage before a trip.

In order to plan break-ins, criminals frequently look at social media posts or visible devices, according to ADT’s vacation safety advice.

You can avoid a months-long insurance headache with a five-minute sweep. Believe me—out of sight, out of danger.

Have a unique hiding place that works? Put it below with only smart ideas and no judgments.

3. Clear Out Your Fridge and Trash Your Future Self Will Thank You

Instead than smelling like ruined milk and sorrow, returning from vacation should smell like relief and fresh laundry.

I now make it a rule to check every shelf in the refrigerator 24 hours before I leave. I throw away or give away everything that expires while I’m away. After a week, nobody likes to open the refrigerator door and smell curdled cream or rotting spinach.

The trash is no different. If it has food in it, I don’t care how empty it is; it’s out. I once left a nearly empty trash bag and returned home to a terrible stench baked in by the summer heat, fruit flies, and a leak. Never again.

Another thing that people overlook is dishwashing filters. Rinse the filter after using it with oily dishes. You’ll be gone when that stuff rots.

Homeowners frequently caution on Reddit that trash, ruined food, and even dish residue can draw pests and leave behind odors that are very difficult to get rid of.

The finest welcome home is a tidy departure. The 10-minute effort will be much appreciated in the future.

Which is the worst? What’s your post-trip narrative about me forgetting to clean it? We all have one, let’s face it.

4. Hold Your Mail and Pause Deliveries Nothing Says Nobody s Home Like a Stacked Porch

A thief can quickly determine that you are out of town. A mailbox that’s obviously overflowing, flyers stuck in the doorframe, or a few goods left out? In essence, that is an invitation.

I always set up amail holdthrough USPS (you can do it online in two minutes), and I pause any scheduled deliveries groceries, pet food subscriptions, anything. I ask a neighbor to pick it up and watch if I forget.

One trick I learned from a security pro: even just asking someone to move your doormat a little, or park in your driveway occasionally, helps keep up the illusion that someone s home. Want to go a step further? Here s apro-level home security checklistwith smart moves you can set up anytime vacation or not. Simple, but surprisingly effective.

According toSafeWise s vacation prep guide,uncollected mail is one of the most obvious signs burglars look forwhen casing homes.

This is the stuff most people don t think about but it s what makes the biggest difference. It s not about paranoia. It s about being less of a target.

Got a neighbor you trust with spare keys or small favors like this? Time to return the favor with a thank-you gift.

5. Set Your Thermostat (and Water) the Smart Way

If you ve ever come home to a flooded kitchen or a sky-high energy bill, you know this one hits hard.

Before any trip, I turn thethermostat to eco-modeor set it a few degrees warmer (in summer) or cooler (in winter) than usual. You don t need your HVAC working overtime for an empty house but you also don t want mold, frozen pipes, or a stifling indoor sauna when you return.

And the big one:shut off the water supplyif you re going to be gone for more than a few days. A small leak behind a wall or under the sink can quietly destroy floors and furniture while you re posting vacation pics.

Learned that one from a neighbor who came back to warped wood floors and a $6,000 repair bill. All because of one sneaky valve.

MAPFRE Insurance s vacation checkliststrongly recommends shutting off the main water valve and adjusting thermostat settings to prevent damage and cut down on utility costs.

Bonus move: I also leave a few interior doors open to help airflow and reduce mustiness. Might sound small, but trust me it makes a difference after a week.

Have you ever had a surprise waiting at home after vacation? Let s hear the horror stories.

You ve Done the Hard Part. Now Leave Without the Worry.

Vacations are supposed to be a break from work, stress, and constant notifications. But none of that matters if you spend half the trip wondering, Did I leave the oven on? What if someone breaks in?

Over the years, I ve realized it s not the big home prep stuff that brings peace of mind. It s the small, often-overlooked things the unplugged outlet, the cleared fridge, the paused mail that make all the difference when no one s watching your house but time itself.

Think of this checklist as your travel partner. Follow it once, and your future self (the one rolling back into the driveway, sunburned and tired) will thank you.

So tell me what s your pre-vacation ritual? Do you go full checklist mode, or just wing it? Drop your best tip (or fail) in the comments. We re all learning here.

For more practical home tips and smart homeowner checklists, visitBuild Like New

Disclaimer:This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional home safety or insurance advice. Always consult with a qualified expert for your specific needs.

Table of Contents

• Before You Leave: The 5 Things I Always Store Away Before Vacation

  • 1. Unplug Electronics You Don t Need On

  • 2. Put Away Valuables Even the Unexpected Ones

  • 3. Clear Out Your Fridge and Trash Your Future Self Will Thank You

  • 4. Hold Your Mail and Pause Deliveries Nothing Says Nobody s Home Like a Stacked Porch

  • 5. Set Your Thermostat (and Water) the Smart Way

  • You ve Done the Hard Part. Now Leave Without the Worry.

• 1. Unplug Electronics You Don t Need On

• 2. Put Away Valuables Even the Unexpected Ones

• 3. Clear Out Your Fridge and Trash Your Future Self Will Thank You

• 4. Hold Your Mail and Pause Deliveries Nothing Says Nobody s Home Like a Stacked Porch

• 5. Set Your Thermostat (and Water) the Smart Way

• You ve Done the Hard Part. Now Leave Without the Worry.