Jobs around the house before 6 weeks overseas

[clazman]

This is what I do prior to going OS around the house..and the wife thinks i am crazy.

Please tell me you do these things as well?

- Full check of alarm sensors
- Check alarm monitoring work
- Advise monitoring company of new mobile number
- Check all windows are locked
- Check safe is secured / alarm working
- Empty Spa
- Cancel newspaper
- Add no junk mail to mailbox
- Suspend Foxtel
- Advise neighbors and provide emergency numbers
- Redirect mail to PO
- Empty drinks fridge
- Turn off and remove plugs from power points (except main fridge)
- Pour bleach / pineoclean into drains / sinks / toilets
- Change batteries in smoke detectors
- Change power, gas and phone to direct debit
- Apply surface spray around certain areas
- Lock shed
- Depending on time of year cut grass / adjust sprinkler times
- Setup timer for radio and light
- Organise bins to be put out / used

 

[Cynicor]

I'd say you're crazy.

But my house is the least likely to house anything of value on the street, at least from the appearance out the front (urban natives-jungle vs manicured lawns and stepford wife-gardens). I think my kitchen ware is the most valuable non-alcoholic thing I own, and you couldn't lift more than 2 pans at a time...

 

[RooFlyer]

Missed two:

Turn off hot water cylinder at the 'fuse box'. Significant problem if it leaks/faults while you are away. I did a calculation once that any time >2 weeks means you are in front with power consumption. Mine takes only about 4 hours to re-heat once I get back.

Also back up laptop (I nearly always take mine) x 2 with 1 back up HDD taken with me, the other left off site. Back-up iPad.

 

[defurax]

I just lock the front door and leave for the airport...a 2-step process

 

[clazman]

Forgot to mention
- clean out veggies, milk and the bread
- remove non essential cards from wallet

 

[boomy]

I just make sure the lights and air con are turned off (I only double-check the air con after I left it running once for two weeks and got a massive bill for that).

 

[get me outta here]

I also turn the home phones to go straight to voice mail silently.
Put the rubbish in the neighbour's bin.
Set up a timer to turn on a light during the evening hours.

 

[russellferrier]

I'm usually away from between 3 and 6 weeks so it's:

Hot water off at fuse box
Fridge empty and off
All electricals off and unplugged(in case of lightning strikes)
MacBook backed up twice, one left in house, one in car at off airport parking
Clean house, throw sheets over monitor and printer etc
Bills are already paid by direct debit
Set up dehumidifier(S/East QLD) with drain hose to sink
Close doors and windows(never locked house, ever)
Email neighbour with departure date and ETA with company contact details
Neighbours pick up my mail, and make free use of my bins
Car fully fuelled in case of natural disaster type stuff
Supply of drinking water, non perishable food, torches, lanterns, batteries, candles, camping gas stove etc for above situation

 

[clazman]

No ideas why I missed backup pc, downloaded beta version of veeam today so I could do it tonight

 

[Buzzard]

I just leave it all for Mrs Buzzard to organise

 

[get me outta here]

I think we're going to find some real 'preppers' (come the revolution), here amongst the good advice.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

- Suspend Foxtel

- Change batteries in smoke detectors

suspend foxtel!! wow. Never thought of that! But then I'd miss my programs on record!!

as for the batteries... are your smoke alarms connected to external monitoring? Otherwise what would be the point of the alarm going off if no one's at home?

 

[clazman]

Sure the neighbours would hear them and concerned insurance wouldn't pay out if smoke detectors don't work

 

[kevrosmith]

I just organise a friend to house-sit my place... you've just gotta pick the right one and haven't had any troubles the last three years. It becomes a bit of a holiday away from their own flat-share place and they appreciate the extra and quiet space.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I just lock the front door and leave for the airport...a 2-step process

Only if you do them separately !!

 

[Fifa]

We always close all internal doors before leaving for hols.
During fire warden training at work, the ex-firefighter trainer told us that this helps reduce fire spread if there's a fire (hopefully a neighbour will see the smoke before fire spreads to the rest of the house).

 

[cove]

With apartments you shut the door after you have turned off the air conditioning and turned off the lights.
With a home we don't leave in a taxi as we use the chauffeur service that we trust. We have people come by several times a week while we are away.
I agree with Fifa on closing internal doors inside the home based on our fire safety training.

 

[dajop]

With apartments you shut the door after you have turned off the air conditioning and turned off the lights.

We don't even shut the door in our apartment, just open it and walk out, it shuts itself. Only thing is we make sure we hear the lock clicking whilst waiting for the lift.

 

[Denali]

Not 6 weeks out but on the night/day before and day off:
Empty fridge of any fresh produce
Complete all laundry, strip bed and wash sheets if time permitting
Advise coworker where copies of Wills are (on my desk in sealed envelope with lawyer details)
My inlaws live next door so they keep an eye on the house and handle our lawn guy and any issues, if they happen

 

[cmon0005]

I think they are all very sensible things to do.
I would also add turn off taps going to washing machine to prevent burst pipes/leaks.