Community Forums

calico · 12-14-2011, 06:51 PM

We'll be leaving soon for the winter months (our first retirement journey) will be forwarding our mail to a family member, stopping the newspaper and garbage pickup, a kind neighbor will check our house once a week. There are a couple of free weekly papers delivered, I'll just have the neighbor pick them up. I'm just uneasy telling the whole state we'll be gone. Who knows who they will tell??? Do you have these same concerns? We'll set a couple timers on lamps through out the house.

What else can we do to insure safety? Should we notify the local police department?

sdennislee · 12-14-2011, 07:15 PM

Definitely notify your local police dept. In most cities they will drive by from time to time

slickest1 · 12-14-2011, 07:23 PM

I used to park my pickup in the neighbors driveway every night after work when they were away and they would do the same for us when we were gone. Main thing is the papers not piling up. We do a couple lights on timers as well. Good luck and enjoy your winter.

JimM68 · 12-14-2011, 07:29 PM

We have the worlds nosyest neighbor. And when they are out of town my wife returns the favor. We worry more about harm from within, but generally the teenagers get away with nothing!

bluepill · 12-14-2011, 07:31 PM

1. A freeze alarm that dials out to various numbers is a must in my book.

2. Check with your insurance agent to see if you loose any coverage when the house is "unoccupied".

jzick · 12-14-2011, 07:52 PM

Review your insurance with your agent, do an inventory (with pictures) of all your stuff, make sure your insurance premium is paid. Go away, forget about it. Remember it is only stuff. Enjoy the warmth.

jfran304 · 12-14-2011, 08:22 PM

When we leave we shut off the water at the city connection, hot water heater and ice maker since there won't be anybody there to use them. Set the thermostat to a low setting and have a neighbor with a key keep an eye on the place.

Good luck,
Jon

bluepill · 12-15-2011, 10:08 AM

The "fake TV" or a radio on a timer is also not a bad idea.

http://www.amazon.com/Hydreon-Corpor...3968836&sr=8-1

1stCougar · 12-15-2011, 10:42 AM

We have ADT alarm system in our house when we go on a trip we
call them with phone numbers to call, they will call phone numbers
in any order you want we do police first then family members that
can reach us or take care of any problem, you know sometimes there
is no cell service where you are, this has taken all the worry when
on a trip about whats going on at home.

Patrol 65 · 12-15-2011, 11:16 AM

We have a monitored alarm system on the house so when we leave if anything happens to the house, the alarm company will notify us or a neighbor who has a key so that the police or fire department can get inside of the house to inspect for the cause of the alarm. In this area, you can request a police check on your residence while you are away, but it isn't as secure as an alarm system because it may be hours after a break in before it is discovered by the police officer making the check.

Cat320 · 12-17-2011, 01:02 PM

Here's what I do:

- Tell the neighbors and give them our cell #s and garage door code.
- Lock garage door...electronically with the button.
- Turn off whole house water.
- Turn heat down to 55...if summer turn A/C up to 82.
- Stop papers.
- Turn water heater to "vacation" mode.
- Put out timers, four for lights, one for radio.
- Stop mail.
- Unhook TV and computer cables.
- Turn off instant beverage water heater.
- Turn ice maker off.