If you are planning your vacation or will be out of town for a few days, don't miss these items before you ride off into the sunset:
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Let someone you trust in your neighborhood know about your plans, especially when you will be leaving and when you plan on returning.
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Make a plan with a neighbor or the police in your town to check on your home periodically.
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Have a neighbor or a close friend collect your mail and newspapers, turn on and turn off lights and to open and close blinds and curtains. If you don't know of anyone that can help you with this, cancel your mail and newspapers and set your lights on a timer switch.
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Make sure to have your lawn mowed while your away during the summer and pathways cleared of snow during the winter.
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Unplug all accessories before your leave such as toasters, coffee pots, and irons.
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Post a list of important phone numbers in a prominent place in your house that includes your plans -- where you are staying, phone and cell numbers, home address and phone number, local emergency phone numbers for fire and police, the names, ages and weight of your children, poison control contact information, and the names, phone and cell numbers of a neighbor.
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Post a list of your house rules for a home sitter -- specifically if guests are allowed or not.
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Keep a flashlight in an easily accessible location and post instructions about how to turn of the main gas valve to your furnace, where the main water valve is into your home, and post instructions about what to do in case of a power outage.
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If you have a security alarm, post the instructions about how to turn it on or off, codes needed, and make sure to take the time to walk your house sitter through the basics.
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Lock all the doors and windows before you leave and show your house sitter how to unlock and lock them as well.
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Leave a second vehicle in the driveway to give the illusion that someone is home.
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Walk your house sitter through the proper "door answering" procedure and leave instructions about who to call for assistance.
