How to Take Care of Your House During Vacation: Practical Guide

Taking care of your house during vacation takes five concrete actions: shut off the main water valve, unplug unnecessary electronics, use timers on your lights, ask a trusted person to pick up the mail, and review your home insurance. Those steps can prevent thousands of dollars in unexpected costs.

Why taking care of your house during vacation matters more than you think

For most families, housing represents between 25% and 35% of monthly income. It is, by far, the largest financial commitment they take on.

And yet, when summer vacation rolls around, that asset is left unprotected for days or weeks. Without supervision, small problems escalate fast.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), water damage is among the most frequent causes of residential insurance claims in the United States. Most happen when no one is home to catch them in time.

With repair costs and construction materials on the rise, every household surprise hits the wallet harder than it did a few years ago. Prevention has become an economic strategy, not just a precaution.

The good news: nearly all of these risks can be neutralized with simple preparation. Without spending much or installing anything complex.

This means that around 30 minutes of review before the trip could protect you from unexpected expenses. What you can do today: follow this step-by-step guide and, if you want to explore more about how to protect your wealth, you can visit educational tools and resources at Finhabits.

How do I prevent water damage and electrical risks before the trip?

Shutting off the main water valve is the step with the highest payoff. A single broken pipe can cause $3,000 to $12,500 in repair damage if water runs for hours without anyone stepping in. And watch out: mold can start growing in as little as 48 hours on wet surfaces.

The main shut-off valve is usually near the meter or in the basement. If you’re going to be away for more than two days, close it completely.

If you’d rather keep automatic irrigation running, at least close the individual valves under sinks, washing machines, and water heaters. Those are the spots where leaks cause the most structural damage.

Phantom load (also called standby consumption) is the electricity devices use even when turned off but still plugged in. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, that silent expense represents between 5% and 10% of your residential electricity use, and can add up to between $100 and $200 a year. Unplugging the non-essentials reduces that drain and eliminates the risk of short circuits during summer storms.

These are the devices you should unplug before leaving:

• TVs, game consoles, and sound systems
• Computers, laptops, and chargers
• Coffee makers, toasters, and secondary microwaves
• Washers, dryers, and irons

Leave only the essentials plugged in: the refrigerator, the router if you’re monitoring cameras remotely, and the alarm system.

Turn the water heater down to the minimum as well. Heating water that no one will use for one or two weeks is money that literally evaporates.

How do I make my house look lived-in and reinforce its security?

A house that clearly looks empty attracts problems. The most telling signs are the simplest ones: mail piled up in the mailbox, packages on the doorstep, and blinds shut tight for days on end.

Use timers on two or three interior lights so they turn on and off at different times each day. A light that stays on 24 hours gives away an absence just as much as total darkness.

Ask a neighbor or close family member to pick up the mail and packages. If you have a yard, coordinate with someone to water it at least once. A completely dry lawn also announces that no one is home.

Avoid posting on social media that you’re on vacation until you return. According to the FBI, sharing that kind of information can facilitate home burglaries. According to police data analyses, the summer months see between 10% and 15% more burglaries than the rest of the year, largely because more families travel and leave their homes empty.

On physical security: check that all doors and windows close properly. A slightly open window in a bathroom or garage is an open invitation.

If you have a sliding door, place a security bar in the lower track. Give a spare key to someone you trust and leave your basic itinerary so that person can act if anything happens.

If you have an alarm system, activate it and confirm that the monitoring company has your updated phone number. Without an alarm, a basic camera connected to your phone is inexpensive and doesn’t require professional installation. Homes without a security system are up to three times more likely to be targeted by burglars.

What should I review in my home insurance before leaving?

Your home insurance (the policy that protects your home’s structure, your personal belongings, and your personal liability) is the financial safety net when something goes wrong while you’re away. But it only works if you actually know what it covers.

Too many families discover their policy’s limits at the worst possible moment: when they already need to file a claim.

Before traveling, check three key points. First: what’s covered. Dwelling coverage pays for repairs to your home’s structure, generally at replacement cost, which is what it would cost to rebuild without deducting for wear and tear. Personal property coverage protects your belongings, sometimes at actual cash value (ACV), which does deduct depreciation. And liability coverage protects you if someone is injured on your property. Some policies also include additional living expenses (ALE), which cover temporary housing if your home becomes uninhabitable.

Second: your deductible, the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance covers the rest. Third: limits for high-value items like jewelry or electronics, which sometimes need an endorsement (rider), additional coverage within your policy. If you have a lot of valuable assets, it may be worth asking about an umbrella policy, which extends your liability protection beyond the standard limit.

The most common policy in the United States is the HO-3, which covers the structure against most risks (open-perils coverage) and belongings against named perils. A broader alternative is the HO-5, which also offers open-perils coverage for your belongings and typically reimburses at replacement cost. Keep in mind that standard policies do not cover flood damage. For that, there’s flood insurance, available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) administered by FEMA. If your mortgage includes an escrow account, your insurance may be paid automatically from it.

Options, prices, and coverage may vary depending on your state, insurer, and profile. If you find that your coverage might be insufficient or that the deductible is too high, you still have time to make adjustments.

What should your day-before checklist include?

The day before the trip, spend 30 minutes walking through your house with this list. It’s the most direct way to tie up loose ends.

Set the air conditioning at a moderate temperature (between 78 °F and 82 °F) to control indoor humidity without wasting energy.

Close the blinds partially, not completely. Confirm that all entryways are locked. Your house is ready.

Frequently asked questions about taking care of your house during vacation

What’s the most important thing when taking care of your house during vacation?

The most important thing is to shut off the main water valve and unplug electronics that aren’t needed. These two actions prevent the most expensive surprises: water damage and electrical risks. According to data from the Insurance Information Institute, water damage and freezing represent about 24% of all home insurance claims.

It’s also a good idea to let a trusted neighbor know and verify your home insurance before leaving.

Should I leave lights on if I’m going on summer vacation?

It’s better to use timers that switch lights on and off at different times. A house with lights on all day or all night looks just as empty.

Timers simulate real activity and deter potential intruders more effectively. According to security analyses, the summer months see between 10% and 15% more residential burglaries.

Does my home insurance cover theft while I’m on vacation?

Most standard policies (like the HO-3) include coverage for theft of personal belongings, but limits and the deductible vary based on your policy and insurer.

Before leaving, review your coverage to confirm which items are protected and up to what amount. Terms can change by state and company.

What happens if a pipe breaks while I’m not home?

Undetected water damage can lead to repair costs between $3,000 and $12,500. The average water damage claim is around $12,500 according to the Insurance Information Institute. Plus, mold can start forming on wet surfaces within 48 hours.

That’s why shutting off the main water valve is the most recommended step when you leave on vacation for several days.

If you want to explore more about how to protect your wealth with informed financial decisions, Finhabits offers free educational content you can check whenever you’re ready.

Peace of mind starts before you close the suitcase

Taking care of your house during vacation doesn’t require a huge effort or a special budget. It requires intention: 30 minutes the day before walking through your home with a clear list.

Water, electricity, security, and home insurance. Those four pillars cover the vast majority of surprises that can happen while you’re away.

Your house is probably the most valuable asset you own. Protecting it is part of taking care of your finances, just like saving or planning for the long term. The difference between a calm return and a costly one is usually in those small steps you took before walking out the door.