Sometimes when we are anxious to just get out the door, we forget some very important things that need to be taken care of. In the list below are some items you might want to check on and take care of before you leave. This could help avoid any unwanted problems when you return home from you well-deserved vacation.

Tip One: Turn your water heater down to the lowest setting.

Tip Two: Turn your air conditioner up in summer. You want to reduce your bills, but you may have to keep the house from getting too hot to protect your pets and electronics.

Tip Three: Turn your heat down or off in spring or fall. Be sure to leave the house warm enough in the winter. You may want to reduce your bills, but you may need to keep the house from getting too cold to protect your pets and water pipes.

Tip Four: Leave shades or drapes as you normally would if you were home.

Tip Five: Plug a cheap radio into a timer so you can have some noise in the house during part of the day.

Tip Six: Lock all doors and windows including the basement & garage.

Tip Seven: Unplug electronic items, such as, your computer to protect them if you have a storm while you're gone. Remember to unhook your phone line from the modem. Unfortunately, you may have to leave it all hooked up if your computer is your only answering machine. Make sure your surge protectors are properly installed.

Tip Eight: Pack the car inside the garage, with the door down, so people driving by won't find out you're leaving.

Tip Nine: Disconnect the garage door. Unplug it if you can, don't pull the fuse for the garage door until you verify the fuse isn't hooked up to something that needs to stay on, such as, your refrigerator or maybe a freezer in the garage.

These nine tips are a good start to a great vacation. They can put your mind at ease and increase the chances that you will return home without facing some unwanted situations.