Tips to Consider When Leaving for Break

Everyone is responsible for the safety and security of the place where the live as well as their own safety and security.  Use these tips to secure your house or apartment before you leave to go out of town and when you return.

Before you leave:

• Make sure doors and windows are locked. 
• DO NOT leave items such as a laptop, video gaming equipment, flat screen TV, expensive jewelry, and other valuables you may have in your house/apartment.  If you can easily walk out of your house or apartment with these items, a thief could also.
• Ask a trusted neighbor to check on your house or apartment while you are gone and to get your mail, newspaper and anything else that may be delivered while you’re gone.  Consider having the mail and newspaper deliveries stopped until you return.
• Unplug major appliances such as the TV, computer, and extension cords in case there is a power surge.
• Consider turning the hot water heater down while you are gone.
• Turn off the water to the washing machine.  Hoses can break and the water would flood your home.
• If you will be gone for any length of time, consider paying your utility bills ahead of time to avoid late fees and service interruptions.
• Make sure you clean up outside and put away trash cans, grills and outdoor furniture.  Do not put grills inside your home.
• Empty the refrigerator of any food that may spoil and take out the trash.
• Make sure appliances are turned off or unplugged.
• In the winter, leave the thermostat set on 55 degrees so the pipes won’t freeze. 
• Make sure toilets are not running.  Check with the Landlord to see if you should turn the water off to toilets.
• You may want to invest in timers for the lights so that it looks as if someone is home and consider leaving a radio on.
• ALWAYS let your Landlord know if you will be gone for more than two weeks so that it is not assumed that you have abandoned the property.

     When you return:

• When you return, check the outside of the house to see if anything has been moved.  Don’t go inside if you notice anything suspicious such as a broken or open window or open door.  Call the police:  UAPD 348-5454 or TPD  349-2121 

• Plug in appliances that were unplugged and turn on the water if it was turned off.
• Let the water run in the sink and flush the toilet to flush out the water lines.
• Be sure to let your neighbors know when you return.