Senior Solutions Spotlight: Leaving Home With Peace of Mind

Heading South? Protecting Your Home While You’re Away

An empty home can be vulnerable to more than break-ins. A furnace failure, frozen pipe, small leak, power outage, or pile of untouched snow can become a much bigger problem when no one is there to notice.

Fortunately, a little preparation can go a long way.

Secure it. Lock doors, windows, garages, sheds, and gates. Put interior lights on timers, arrange for snow removal, and avoid announcing extended travel plans publicly on social media. Hold or forward your mail so it doesn’t accumulate.

Protect it from damage. If you’re leaving during an Ohio winter, keep your home heated and take steps to prevent frozen pipes. Consider shutting off your main water supply when appropriate, adding leak sensors, and making sure someone knows where your utility shutoffs are.

Use technology for peace of mind. Video doorbells, cameras, smart thermostats, water sensors, garage-door monitors, and smart locks can let you check on your home remotely and alert you when something isn’t right.

Put someone in charge. Technology is helpful, but there’s no substitute for having someone physically walk through the house. Ask a trusted neighbor, friend, family member, house sitter, or professional home-watch service to stop in regularly. They can water plants, check the furnace and thermostat, look for leaks, pick up unexpected packages, and make sure everything looks normal.

You can also check with your local police department to see whether it offers a vacation house-check program. Some departments allow residents to register their home while they’re away so officers can periodically drive by or check the exterior of the property.

Leave clear instructions. Give the person watching your home emergency contacts, utility shutoff locations, alarm information, preferred repair companies, and instructions about when they should contact you or take action if something needs attention.

Before leaving for an extended period, it’s also a good idea to call your insurance agent. Some homeowners policies have requirements or limitations when a property is unoccupied for an extended time, so it’s better to understand those before you leave.

A little preparation before you head out can mean a lot more relaxing once you arrive!

In this month's Senior Spotlight newsletter, we’re highlighting tips and resources to help seniors protect their home while they're away.