10 Home Prep Steps that Will Give You Peace of Mind Before Leaving for Your Winter Vacation

Planning a winter getaway? Before you pack the car, don’t forget about preparing your home. Winter in Pennsylvania can bring freezing temperatures, snowstorms, and power outages—so leaving your house unprepared could lead to frozen pipes, energy waste, or worse, home damage while you’re away.

This winter vacation checklist will help you safeguard your home, conserve energy, and come back stress-free.

Lower the Thermostat, But Don’t Turn Off the Heat

Set your thermostat to around 60°F to keep your pipes from freezing. This will reduce the energy used while no one is home and protects your home from any costly mishaps and the extensive damage they inflict. 

If you don’t already have a smart thermostat, consider installing one before your trip.

Smart thermostats allow you to monitor and adjust the temperature of your home remotely. So even if you only remember when you’re on the road, you can easily adjust the temperature via your thermostat’s app.

And many of these smart thermostats qualify for energy-efficient tax credits.

Shut Off Your Main Water Supply and Any Associated Appliances

Frozen pipes usually burst and washing machine hose lines can break, leaking water onto your floor and soaking whatever is nearby. Prevention is your best chance against this happening while you’re away. 

Be sure to:

• Shut off your home’s main water source to stop any chaos from flooding your home.
• Turn off the water heater or set it to “vacation mode.”
• Unplug any water softeners or conditioners.
• If your water comes from a well, take the time to turn off the pump’s circuit breaker, too.

As you’re doing this, if you notice that your water heater is leaking, call a professional (717-299-3914) to assess the severity and get it fixed before you leave. 

A tiny leak can grow into an expensive problem in the short amount of time that you’re off enjoying yourself. And nuisances like a running toilet or a leaking faucet can waste a tremendous amount of water (and money). 

3. Unplug Any Overlooked Electronics and Appliances

Even when turned off, electronics still draw power—known as “phantom energy.” You’d be amazed at how much of your electricity bill comes from unused cords that are left plugged into the outlet. This oversight becomes an added expense and there’s no need for it while you’re home is empty.

Unplug items like these from the wall outlet (or disconnect the main power strip that hosts them).

• Entertainment systems
• Wifi routers
• Toasters
• Coffee makers
• Gaming consoles
• Fans
• Charging cords
• Computers
• Window air conditioning units from last season

Reducing the energy that’s used by these unexpected strains on your budget is a key strategy featured in our tips for lowering your energy bill blog. 

Practicing this habit before vacation helps to lower your utility costs while no one is home to enjoy them.

4. Have a Plan for Mail and Deliveries

An overflowing mailbox or stack of packages is a glaring signal that no one’s home to protect your belongings. 

1. Use USPS’s Hold Mail service.
2. Or ask a trusted neighbor to collect and store it for you.

Another tip for peace of mind: Ask that same neighbor to check your home’s exterior after any storms.

5. Notify Your Bank and Cell Phone Provider

• Heading out of state or out of the country? Let your bank know, so your card isn’t flagged for suspicious activity. Most banks have an automated system to quickly report any travel alerts.
  
  This is one that we all hear, but is easy to forget as we’re handling every other thing on our to-do list and a card freeze in an unfamiliar place can be very difficult to navigate.
  
• Steer clear of unexpected phone fees. You’ll want to know if your cell phone provider charges roaming fees at (and leading up to) your destination. If you’re traveling internationally, you may also need to adjust your wireless plan in order to use your devices at all.

6. Eliminate Rotting and Spoiled Messes

Nothing kills the post-vacation mood like walking into a smelly house and laboring to put an end to the bad odors.

Leading up to your trip:

• Toss perishable food that you can’t take along.
• Empty all trash cans.
• Run the dishwasher.
• Wipe down any spills in the fridge.
• Ask a friend or neighbor to take your trash cans and recycle bin back to where you typically store them so they don’t sit at the curb the whole time you are away.

This will prevent pests from finding food and sanctuary in your warm home. It will also protect your peace and guard your homecoming from any emergency projects.

7. Arrange for Snow Removal

Ask a neighbor for help or hire a service to maintain your driveway and sidewalks while you’re traveling. 

• Just like other signs of going away, a snow-covered driveway that’s untouched for days, can tip off burglars.
• Beyond the threat of theft, slick outdoor surfaces are a safety hazard for pedestrians and, in some PA municipalities, neglecting this liability can lead to fines or even lawsuits.
• Keep the area clear in case emergency services need access to your property.

8. Add Light Timers for Security

• If no one is housesitting in the evening, automate a couple of lamps with timers to mimic your regular schedule. The risk that you might be home is often enough to make intruders pass up your home for one that is obviously vacant.
• Smart lighting controlled by your phone is another dependable option.

These are simple, affordable ways to deter potential intruders—especially when combined with a monitored security system.

9. Test Your Security System Before You Leave

Alarm systems can fail. And in this case, preparation can take care of anxiety and any trouble.

• Contacting your alarm company to demonstrate that the system is fully functional goes a long way.
  
• Add a trusted, local contact to the security company’s notification list and give your contact access to the home in case they need to head over after the police arrive. It’s also a good idea to go over how to disarm the alarm.

10. Know that Sharing Your Vacation on Social Media Exposes Your Empty Home

As tempting as it is to share your travels in real time— it’s safest to wait until you return.

Whether you are traveling alone or with others, posting vacation photos and updates (whether they’re revealed publicly or set to private) can inadvertently invite trouble. 

Not all acquaintances are as well-intentioned as they appear and social media sends your information to many people. Often making it difficult to pin down suspects or the source of destructive behaviors.

Even if you have a housesitter, posting your vacation live opens them up to the possibility of an altercation or spending time in an uncomfortable environment.

Don’t forget that your phone, posts, and apps generally display your location as public by default. Opening it up and disabling those settings is an easy precaution.

Extras: Entrust Your Trip Details with a Someone that You Can Rely On

Leave your full itinerary with a family member or dear friend for safety. 

Include:

• Flight times.
• Travel dates.
• Hotel details.
• Emergency contact info.
• Alarm code (if they’re checking on your house).

Don’t Forget: Your HVAC Needs a Post-Winter Checkup

After you’re home and settled, be sure to schedule an HVAC inspection (717-299-3914) to make sure your cooling system is ready for spring use. We’ll ensure that your unit is ready to keep your home comfortable as the weather warms up.

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