Away from SoCal for many months (house, refrigerator, live)

[rocketdude]

I will be overseas for an extended period of time. Is it necessary to turn off the refrigerator and hot water boiler when I am away? It is a good idea to have lamp timers? Is there anything else I should do before I leave town? Oh, I have already notified my local post office to hold all of my mails until further notice. I hope you all can give me some good ideas. Thanks a million!

[flo2900]

Originally Posted by rocketdude

I will be overseas for an extended period of time. Is it necessary to turn off the refrigerator and hot water boiler when I am away? It is a good idea to have lamp timers? Is there anything else I should do before I leave town? Oh, I have already notified my local post office to hold all of my mails until further notice. I hope you all can give me some good ideas. Thanks a million!

unplug everything that is electrical, turn off gas lines, I would even close water valves from underneath sink

[Dub D]

I would call the gas, electric, etc companies and tell them to turn off service until you get back.

[Fontucky]

• Make sure the doors are open on the unplugged refrigerator while you're gone.
• Have water shut off at the main, unless water is needed to keep plants alive.
• If water will stay on, shut off all angle stops at the supplies to toilets, sinks, and the washer.
• Shut off power/gas to your boiler and drain it.
• Shut gas supply off.
• Have a few interior lights set up on random timers.
• Also have front and rear porch lights set up on timers. Don't leave them going 24/7.
• Shut all drapes/blinds.
• Have someone drop by periodically to pick up fliers, free newspapers, phone books, and anything else dropped off or otherwise left on the premises.
• Leave a radio on.
• Arrange for periodic yard work to keep plants alive, weeds down and trash picked up. No need for the home to become an eyesore, which would also attract attention from the wrong element.

[RedJacket]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

• Make sure the doors are open on the unplugged refrigerator while you're gone.
• Have water shut off at the main, unless water is needed to keep plants alive.
• If water will stay on, shut off all angle stops at the supplies to toilets, sinks, and the washer.
• Shut off power/gas to your boiler and drain it.
• Shut gas supply off.
• Have a few interior lights set up on random timers.
• Also have front and rear porch lights set up on timers. Don't leave them going 24/7.
• Shut all drapes/blinds.
• Have someone drop by periodically to pick up fliers, free newspapers, phone books, and anything else dropped off or otherwise left on the premises.
• Leave a radio on.
• Arrange for periodic yard work to keep plants alive, weeds down and trash picked up. No need for the home to become an eyesore, which would also attract attention from the wrong element.

Good advice. I'd add, don't tell anyone other than immediate family members that you're leaving. Also, leave a contact number for the person who might be keeping an eye on the place for you. Put any valuables you have in a safety deposit box. Make sure everything is locked up tight, including the garage and shed if you have those.

[rocketdude]

great pointers! thanks!

[rocketdude]

is it a good idea to remove the battery terminals off of my car's engine while I am away to prevent the battery from being drained? I will be away from home for about 6 to 8 months. my car is a 2010 Ford EDGE.

[Fontucky]

I would do that. I would also not want a lot of gas in the tank.

[flo2900]

Why would anyone leave a radio on. I understand the purpose but a short in the radio could start a fire. Batteries would only last a couple of weeks.

[Fontucky]

I was a firefighter for 27 years and can't ever recall an operating radio being the cause of a house fire. That includes tube as well as solid state radios.

Double