homesick

When leaving for a two-week European vacation during winter, how do you safeguard your house?<BR>We are going to France for the holidays and my husband is thinking of shutting down the main water line and keep the thermostat on low setting, install timer on the lamps; what do you do? Any suggestions?<BR>

barb

I had a work project in Hong Kong for eight months and since my company was paying for all my expenses in HK I decided to keep my place. (Allowed me to have some place to stay for the holidays when I came back and I didn't have to pack up my stuff.) I asked a good friend who lived in the city to stay at my place whenever she could. She came over at least once a week. Picked up mail, made sure all was OK and she got the chance to get away from home for a while.

Christina

Two weeks isn't that long to me, it's only when I'm away a month that I consider unusual. Some of the things you are doing are things I do every day normally--I always have a timer on my lamps so they turn on at night and I always turn the thermostat down when I leave the house in the morning for all day (maybe not as much as I would if I were going to be gone 2 weeks). I think the water could be a good idea, I just don't do that.<BR><BR>I have an alarm system so they always know where to call me if the alarms go off, and I let my neighbor and sister have my itinerary and how to get hold of me, also (and my boss). that's about it -- my mail is automatically delivered into my house by a mail slot so I don't have to worry about that (luckily, as my post office is not reliable in holding it; I used to hire a neighbor kid to pick up mail, remove flyers, etc before that) and my neighbor removes any unusual packages or flyers that get put on my door but doesn't have a big burden of all the mail.<BR><BR>If I had a good friend or relative who lived very near, I might do things differently, but I don't like imposing on people as I live in a big city and just a friend going to your house could be a major time consumer of several hours. <BR><BR>I used to notify my local police department, but I don't any more because I don't trust them. I know that sounds funny, but I don't trust their clerks who answer the phone and take down info and don't want them to know I'll be away for several weeks; I don't know who they are or their friends. I figure the police can't really do much anyway as the odds something will happen the exact minute they cruise by is nil (if you do notify them, they cruise by your house to look for funny things once or twice a week, I guess).

sandi

Since we have pets, I get a friend or two to come over in the morning and evening to let the dog in/out etc.. That way there's a car in the drive everyday. I also alert my neighbors as to who should be at the house so they can watch for anything suspicious. We always keep lights on in the house but don't bother w/ the water. Are you in an area where the water may freeze? If so, that may be a good idea.

JohnL

Make a list of everything you want to unplug.... iron, toaster, TV, stereo, etc. and then go over it with your spouse before you leave. I always panic on the way to the airport thinking I've left something on. Turning off the water is good, friends of ours had a disaster with a broken toilet line that flooded their house for 10 days. Also leave your itinerary with a neighbor so they can get in touch with you in case of some unforeseen event... fire, burglary, etc.

JD

Making sure there is no cottage cheese due to expire left in the refrigerator makes the homecoming much more pleasant.

gail

Resist the impulse to neaten up the outside before you go - kids' toys, rakes, and stuff you may generally have outside should not be all tucked away like no one is home.<BR><BR>If you have oil or other heat that requires you to call the company for a tank refill, make sure you do it before you leave so you don't arrive home late at night with no heat and no oil.<BR><BR>You will worry about house less if you have someone check it out for you once or twice while you are away.<BR><BR>If you live in snow area, arrange for someone to plow/shovel if it snows while you are gone.

frank

Sandi<BR>please tell me the bit about the dog is a joke? Nobody could possibly be so cruel as to leave a dog alone in their home when they go off on holiday.

xxx

Boy am I glad I don't live in Christina's town where you can't trust the police. And glad I don't live next to Gail, who leaves for vacation with a lawn strewn with toys and rakes!

xxx

Frank, I have a neighbor who leaves their dogs in the basement when they go on vacation and have a neighbor to let them out in the a.m/p.m. I don't like that at all!!!

fiona

xxx<BR>If I were you I'd phone an animal welfare society the next time your neighbour leaves her dogs. People like her and Sandi don't deserve to keep animals.

fiona

homesick <BR>If you have a driveway try asking a neighbour to park their car there. My neighbours have 2 cars so it is convenient for them as well. At least there seems to be signs of coming and going that way. You do need someone to go and check your mail as, even though we stop our mail for the holiday there is so much junk comes through the door- free newspapers etc.<BR>I agree with John about making a list of things to check and both of you checking them.

Maurice

Definitely have someone come and check the house. Check you insurance, but if the damage goes undetected some companies will not pay for it. (I think I've heard a 48-hr. clause somewhere).<BR><BR>If you turn off the water, then, Duhh, turn off the hot water heat (electricity, gas?). Make sure you know how to turn it back on safely.<BR>I usually set my thermostat to 55.<BR><BR>I've had friends who left their pets - but not for weeks. We've gone over to let them out twice a day, feed and water them, etc. What's the difference between that and a day where you're out til 11PM? <BR>Oh, well, got no pets myself.

Sarah

Dogs are often happier staying at their own familiar home rather than at a strange kennel. If someone checks on them twice a day and feeds and plays with them , they should be fine. Some vets have workers who will come to your house for twice daily pet care. That is what we do when we go out of town. It is cheaper than leaving them at the kennel, and our pets are much happier and have access to vet care if they need it. Check with your vet and see if they offer this.

Mary

I'm a dog lover, with 2 dogs. I don't like to leave them to travel, but do like to take a trip at least once or twice a year. I can't bear to leave them cooped up in a little kennel at the vet, which to me seems more cruel than being at home alone. I pay someone (a professional pet sitter) to come to my house twice a day. My daughter and grandson also come every night to play with them and let them out once before bedtime. I really think the dogs are much happier with this arrangement than being left in a kennel for 10 days.

Mia

Put a hold on the mail. Then wait a few days when you get back to pick it up because it is fun to not have to come home to a stack of bills. I don't know of anyone who shuts down the water main. Lights on timers are a good idea. And of course if you have pets, you would have someone coming over every day.

April

I agree with leaving the dogs at home. I think animals are much happier at home with someone coming to see them a couple of times a day. They get food and fresh water and attention. I have a friend who worked at an *upscale kennel* and she said the animals were lucky to get 10 minutes attention, add that to a strange environment and you have the making for a very upset animal.<BR><BR>I always leave my animals at home, We have family members who come over twice daily and feed water and play with the animals. I also call the house at least once a day and talk to them through the answering machine. I guess it may seem a little strange but my pets do very well while I am away.<BR><BR>If I didn't have family close by to come and care for them, I would probably find a young teen in the area to do it for a fee.