What to Do Before You Leave for Vacation to Make Your Home Safe and Secure

Planning your Caribbean vacation may take most of your focus, but there's a few steps you need to take before you don that tropical shirt and head out the door. AAA offers some excellent advice on making your home safe and secure -- and your travels worry-free -- before you go:

• Stop deliveries, especially the newspaper.
• Set up a timed lighting system and turn on your alarm system.
• Turn down phone ringers or set your voicemail/answering machine to pick up after one or two rings.
• Store valuables in safe place.
• Eliminate possible fire hazards-unplug appliances, make sure nothing blocks heat ducts.
• Lock all doors and windows. Deadbolt doors and make sure sliding glass doors have locks and holding bars in place.
• Make sure homeowner’s insurance is up to date.
• Leave a trusted neighbor or family member with a number where you can be reached, in case there is an emergency with your home.
• Arrange for care of pets, lawn and houseplants.
• Empty your refrigerator of perishable foods.
• Take out the trash. If you leave trash out for pickup ask a neighbor to put the trash can back.
• Clean your house and do the dishes. Leave your house the way you want to come back to it. You already have to deal with unpacking, laundry, restocking groceries and a laundry list of other things to do.
• Turn off computers
• Adjust thermostat to save on electricity -- but don't set it too low if it is winter, or you'll risk coming home to frozen pipes.