Helping Nebraskans enhance their lives through research-based education.

Winter Home Shutdown

Submitted by Lorene Bartos, UNL Extension Educator

email this page to a friend

Many folks will be traveling south for the winter. Taking the time to prepare your home to be vacant for several weeks or months will help insure your home will be safe while you're gone. Give your home a good check over before you depart. It is important to take precautions to prevent damage from temperature or vandalism.

Before leaving:

• Do a thorough cleaning of your home.
• Do a partial close-up leaving heating, plumbing and electrical systems operating.
• Set the thermostat on the heating system at the lowest setting (usually 45 to 55 degrees F).
• Turn off and drain water heater for long absences.
• Put lights on timers to give the impression the house is occupied to reduce burglaries.
• Lock all windows and outside doors.
• Leave internal doors open to promote air circulation.
• Open cabinet doors where there are water pipes to prevent them from freezing.
• You may want to disconnect the automatic garage door opener so it doesn't open on its own.
• Unplug all appliances except major ones such as refrigerator or freezer.
• Have a neighbor or family member make regular checks of your home.
• Arrange for someone to remove snow from sidewalks and driveways.
• Leave a key and phone number with a neighbor in-case of an emergency.
• Stop newspapers.
• Have the mail held or forwarded.
• Notify the police department you are going to be gone for an extended period of time.
• Install an outdoor security light.
• Don't leave a message on your answering machine that you are gone for an extended time.

By taking these precautions you can enjoy your stay and return home to a house in good condition.