Let the office of your manufactured home community know of your plans - include when you are leaving and when you may be returning. They will assist in keeping an eye on your home while you are away.
Let your neighbors know, too, what your plans are. In our manufactured home communities, it is often the case that neighbors do look out for one another.
Contact the USPS about forwarding your mail to your northern address.
Leave the air conditioner set at 85 degrees to help keep mildew away.
Leave all of your home's interior doors open. That will allow the air to flow through the home and help prevent mildew.
Spacing out your clothing, shoes and other items that are stored will also allow air to flow around the articles and prevent mildew.
Remember to unplug the water heater before you leave. You'll save money on your electric bill.
Take photographs or videos of all your expensive items.
Store valuables in a safe place or take them with you. (i.e., take jewelry to a safe-deposit box, lock computers in closets, hide keys to extra cars, etc.) Be sure to remove all valuables from sight.
In the kitchen, remove food from the house to discourage pests.
Store staples such as sugar or flour in sealed metal, glass or thick plastic containers.
The best refrigerator solution is to turn it off, empty it and prop open the doors. The next best solution is to empty out items which will spoil and add items like bottles of water, non perishables, etc. to help retain the cold and help the unit use less energy.
Turn off the ice maker and place a box of baking soda in the refrigerator to absorb odors. If you have candles and plan to leave your refrigerator on, place the candles in the fridge so they don't soften during the summer.
Regarding other appliances, put 2-3 tbsp. of vegetable oil in the dishwasher to keep the seals moist. Do not latch the door. Also put 2-3 tbsp. of vegetable oil in the garbage disposal to help keep it from locking up.
Unplug other appliances throughout the house.
Open the door on the clothes washer.
Turn off the telephone ringers so it can't be heard if no one is answering the phone. Don't leave a message on the answering machine that tells callers you're out-of-town. Instead, say you're away from the phone and you'll get back to them.
In the bathrooms, wrap toilet bowls with cling wrap to keep the water from evaporating. Do not put bleach tablets in the tank.
Turn off inside water valves at the washer, under sinks, and at toilets. Valves like to be used. Better yet, shut off the main water valve when leaving.
Check / close fireplace damper.
Lock all doors and windows placing wood dowels in the tracks of sliders where possible.
Outside the home, pick the remaining ripe fruit from trees to avoid falling fruit accumulating under the tree.
Safe travels and hurry back!
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Interesting article on preparing your home for the summer. You always have to take precautions before leaving your house for an extended period of time or else risk damaging it or exposing it to burglars.
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