Whether you’re the type who plans every minute of your vacation or you like to wing it once you hit the road, there’s one thing you definitely shouldn’t leave to chance: your home.

Because nothing ruins a relaxing beach day like a sudden uh-oh — Did I lock the back door? Did I leave the iron plugged in??

So before you zip up that suitcase, take a few minutes (okay, maybe more than a few) to get your home vacation-ready. Trust me, future-you will be glad you did.

Here’s a checklist I swear by — and yes, I keep it in the Notes app on my phone so I can pull it up any time I’m heading out of town.

Make It Look Like You’re Still Home

An empty house can be an open invitation for unwanted visitors, so let’s make it look lived-in while you’re gone!

Let there be light (on a timer!):
Use plug-in timers or smart bulbs to turn on lamps in the evening. If you have smart plugs, you can even switch things up while you’re away so it’s less predictable. Bonus points for syncing your TV too!

Outside motion lights:
These are a great deterrent for anyone snooping around. Check your bulbs before you go!

Trash day matters:
Ask a neighbor to roll your bins to the curb and back. Skipping trash day is a dead giveaway that no one’s home.

Yard check:
Have your lawn mowed and plants watered if you’ll be gone more than a few days. Also, clear out any leaves or gunk from storm drains — water damage is no joke.

Driveway decoy:
Park a car in your driveway, or ask a neighbor to borrow the spot while you’re gone. Instant illusion of activity!

A Little Help from Friends (or Neighbors)

Let someone nearby know you’ll be out of town. It’s always good to have a friendly eye on your place!

• Share your contact info in case of emergency.
• Ask them to scoop up any packages.
• Stop your mail and newspaper delivery if you’re going to be gone a while.
• Trust someone with a key to do a quick walkthrough — they can water your plants and make sure no pipes have burst or appliances have gone rogue.

Pre-Vacation Home Prep Checklist

These are the unglamorous but super important things you don’t want to forget:

• Shut off the main water valve if you’ll be gone for more than a couple days. At the very least, turn off water to the washing machine, dishwasher, and sinks.
• Unplug small appliances and electronics — toaster, TV, coffee maker, modem, etc.
• Set your thermostat to something reasonable (around 60–65º in winter, or 76–80º in summer). If you travel often, consider a smart thermostat that lets you check the temp from your phone.
• Lock it all up: Check every door and window. Hide-a-keys? Bring those in.
• Adjust window coverings so no one can peek in, but it doesn’t scream “we’re not home.”
• Laundry check: Don’t leave wet clothes in the washer — mold is not the souvenir you want to come home to!
• Empty trashcans and wipe down counters so bugs (and smells) don’t take over.
• Kitchen clean sweep: Toss perishables from the fridge, take out the kitchen trash, run the disposal, and check the dishwasher and sink for dirty dishes — no one wants to come back to “dish funk.”

Want to Keep an Eye on Things?

If you like to check in while you’re away, security tech has come a long way:

• Ring, Arlo, and similar systems can alert you to movement.
• Smart locks let you unlock the door for someone remotely.
• Indoor motion sensors and video doorbells can keep you updated in real time.
• Many devices work through apps and are surprisingly easy to use — just make sure you research what fits your needs (and budget).

Now that your home is prepped and protected, go enjoy your vacation knowing everything’s under control.

Safe travels — and don’t forget the sunscreen! 😎