Any of you well-travelled people have tips for others on what to do to ensure your home and belongings are safe when you are away? I do the usual things like cancel papers and milk and also get the post to be held. However I always spend the journey back worrying!!!

Ben, Let you're neighbors know you'll be gone so they'll know to report anything suspicious. Only one other piece of advice - don't stress. It's your vacation. You can only control so much.

Put your lights on timers set to go off at various times.Stop the paper & mail delivery.Put your dearest possesions (that will fit)in a safe deposit box.Tell the neighbors.If possible,leave a car in the driveway.Some people tell the police.THe truth is, your house can be broken into while you are at work or the grocery store....go, have fun and don't think about it.

make sure your pets are looked after! <BR><BR> make sure your neighbors know you are gone, and if they are looking after the pets, have them check on them more than once a day (if you are leaving them in the house)

thanks for the advice everyone! as for stopping worrying, I DO try!<BR>Beth- surely you don't leave your pets at home!!! My budgie would never speak to me again if I did that!! AND I'd have something else to worry about when on holiday!!!!

I also suggest you put your radio and television on timers so that if someone unwelcome does come to the door, s/he will be deterred from breaking in. Set the radio(s) and television for alternate times during the day and evening.

ttt

My pup goes to the sitter, and she (the sitter)emails me wherever I am to let me know how he is doing<BR>Good idea about timers on the radio!

Join a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme and let your neighbours know when you will be away.<BR>I have a friend in the village who checks my property from the rear boundary wall.<BR>I also notify the local police that the house will be empty and that a neighbour will be coming in to feed my two cats twice a day.<BR>Vet details and Insurance policies for the cats are given to this neighbour in case of any problems.<BR>You can only do so much as far as security is concerned, so just enjoy your holiday and stop worrying.<BR>

Put your business card in your luggage tag instead of your return address (or your parent's address, friends, anyone who will be at home while you're gone). You don't want people who see your luggage is headed for Paris to head for your empty house.<BR><BR>Also, turn off the water to your washer--even better, unscrew the hose. Unplug the TV, coffee maker and other small appliances in case there's a power surge while you're away (your computer should be okay if it's on a surge protected power strip.<BR><BR>And, as everyone else said--have a great trip!

I've always paid a reliable person from my office to move in for the duration of my absence. Much less stress on the pets, and there's nothing like having someone there (or at least coming back at the end of each day) in case the toilet tank cracks, or the hot water heater explodes, whatever. These things DO happen.

I stop mail, put lights and a radio on a timer, and I have a lovely lady from a house/pet-sitting business stop by every 2-3 days at different times to water the plants, check the apartment, and show signs of life in the place.<BR>ja

can't add to the list but lots of interesting tips! lets keep it going as I'm sure others are interested as well!