It's been such a hot summer, we haven't been camping since Memorial Day weekend. Tent camping is miserable in the heat. We did that one July 4th week - never again! The annual Labor Day weekend camping trip is 2 days away, and I'm excited. It may even be too cool to go swimming (well, not by my son's standards! LOL!) The high on Friday is supposed to only be 78 degrees and it will be down in the 50's at night. Perfect weather for a campfire and perfect sleeping weather!
I've talked about what to pack when you go camping, how to set up your campsite, campsite etiquette, etc. But there is stuff you need to do at home before you leave for a few days. These tips are also useful before you leave home for vacation.
You want to make sure that no one can tell that you are not at home, to deter thieves. Here's what you need to do to take care of that:
1. Stop delivery of your newspaper(s) during the time you are gone.
You can take care of this by going to the newspaper web site. You can enter a vacation hold under subscriber services. If your local newspaper doesn't have a web site, you can call the circulation department and they can take care of this. A bunch of newspapers accumulating in the driveway is a big hint that you are gone for the weekend.
2. Put a hold on your mail.
This is done very easily on the U.S. Post Office web site - click here to go directly to the place where you can put your mail on hold. Or you can also go to your local post office and fill out a form.
3. Leave lights on in the house (or set them on a timer).
We have 2 lamps that we leave on while we're gone. Both of them can't be seen by folks passing by, but they still make it look like someone is home.
4. Lock the doors and windows.
That should be self-explanatory, but people often forget about locking the windows. Thieves can get in through the windows too.
5. Don't leave trash cans and recycling bins at the curb or out in the alley.
When your trash cans and recycling bins are out at the curb and your neighbors' aren't, that's a big sign to thieves that no one's home. Conversely, if you're going to be gone (like on a week long trip) on a day that trash is collected, see if a neighbor will take your trash cans and recycling bins to the curb and put them back. If everyone's trash cans are out and yours are not, that's also an invitation to thieves.
Here's some hints for the inside of your house:
1. Take care of your pets.
Most campgrounds allow you to bring your dog, provided you clean up after it and keep it from barking during quiet hours, but if you have to leave Fido at home, make arrangements with a neighbor or a pet sitting service to look after the dog. Cats can take care of themselves, but make sure that there is plenty of food and water and that the litter box is clean.
2. Turn off and unplug all electrical items such as the computer, TV, etc. or if not unplugged, make sure they are plugged into surge protectors.
It would be horrible to come home from a fun camping trip to discover that all of your electrical items are fried due to a lightning strike or a storm.
3. Wash the dishes and put them away.
It's no fun to come home from a trip with dirty dishes in the sink. Dirty dishes can also attract bugs and your cat or dog would love all the little leftovers, which can make your pet sick.
4. Water indoor plants.
Plants can dry up quickly if you don't water them for a few days. You can also buy those water globes to make sure your plants are watered.
5. Put all food away.
Any food that is left out on a counter top or table is a temptation for a house pet. It can also attract bugs.
6. Tell a trusted neighbor that you are going away for a few days and give them your cell phone number.
You need to be reachable in case of a disaster that damages your house, or if someone breaks in your house despite all your precautions.
If you think of any other home preparation tips, please make a comment. I would love to hear from you! Hope you all are going camping this holiday weekend and that you have a great time with great weather! See you soon!
Diane
Posts
