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More Security Options
If possible, leave at least one car in the driveway while you’re gone. This simple act will make criminals wonder if someone is home and may be enough to deter them. If you do have home cameras, make sure one is aimed at the car in case of a break-in. A car alarm is a good idea, too.
Smart devices are an investment with an initial upfront cost. If you’re not in the market for that upgrade, have someone stay at the house instead. If you have pets and plants to care for, paying a house sitter counterbalances the cost of a kennel and replacing a dried up garden.
Of course, a whole-home system will provide complete security inside and out. This is the ultimate tool for peace of mind, but it does
come at a cost, so decide if it’s the right choice for your situation.
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Automate Watering
If you’re only planning to be gone for a few days, there’s a low-tech watering hack that can help out. Simply freeze water bottles or milk jugs. Puncture them in a few places down the side with small pin holes and place them beneath your plants. As the ice melts, water will slowly trickle out into the soil.
or at a kennel. Once that’s figured out, think about other services you may need inside or out. If you have a house cleaning service, schedule it for right before or right after you leave. Also, make sure to hire out lawn mowing if you’ll be gone longer than a week or two. If you have a weekly meal kit delivery or other service, be sure to put it on hold. Also, ask a neighbor or friend to grab your mail and take your garbage and recycling to the curb.
Leaving your house for any amount of time means you’re not there to complete the daily tasks you may rarely otherwise think about. Whether you have an extensive irrigation system on a centralized control panel or a few soaker hoses attached to a timer, automating your watering system will ensure your flowers and vegetables survive the hot days in your absence. For hanging patio and indoor plants, set up drip systems to handle the task.
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Schedule or Freeze Services
If you own pets, of course you’ll need a pet sitter, either in the home, at someone else’s home,
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