It's summer in Maryland. You can hear the sounds of the ocean and feel the excitement of your family trip to the beach or wherever you're headed. But before you pack up the car for the road, or head to the airport...you've got work to do.
"We think about the fun for vacation but we never think about the importance of protecting our home."
Mia Redrick the Mom Strategist says doing a few simple things before you leave, could possibly prevent a lot of hassle when you return.
"One of the first things you want to do when you go on vacation to protect your home is cut off the main supply line for water in the event that a pipe bursts or a hose comes undone."
Redrick says it probably never occurred to you.....but all it takes is one mishap to create a major mess while you're away.
"Unplug electronics again it saves energy, but in the same token in the event that something could short circuit . You don't want to be surprised by fire."
An empty home can also be a target for thieves. There are simple things you can do to make your home a little less vulnerable.
"One of the things that we love to do is set a timer....the process of keeping those lights on making it appear that someone is at home, even when you're on vacation just give you an added sense of security."
"Even though it's on the list, but it is important so that you know you don't have someone that takes packages or notices that you are not home because of the stack of mail that's accumulating around your doorstep."
One last tip and it has nothing to do with safety after a vacation filled with eating out, have a homemade meal you prepared before you left, ready when you come home.
"I just like pull something out that I've already cooked and just pop it into the oven and then we have a nice meal and I can relax just like the rest of my family."
