Be SERVPRO Ready Before You Go on Vacation

6/16/2016 (Permalink)

You can relax on vacation knowing SERVPRO of Orange, Sullivan and S.Ulster counties has you covered.

Picture this: You are lounging on a wooden beach chair with sunglasses, staring at the beautiful ocean on your vacation.  This is the first time in months you have felt relaxed.  Suddenly, your cell phone rings.  On the phone is your neighbor who called to let you know there was a small kitchen fire in your home.    

Going on vacation should be relaxing and worry-free.  It is important to make sure your house is secure before you leave for your trip.  Be SERVPRO ready so you do not have to come back to damages in your home.  

Below are some tips for preparing your home provided by SERVPRO of Orange, Sullivan and South Ulster Counties.  

Make Arrangements with an Emergency Contact and Prevent Burglaries

• Choose a close friend or a neighbor you trust as your emergency contact and provide them with all of your travel and hotel information in case they need to contact you.

• A timer on lights will give the impression someone is in the house.

• Leave written directions for alarm codes, doors or other information needed to properly care for your home.

• Burglars often look for homes with mailboxes overflowing, make sure your mail is collected.

• The Post Office can suspend your mail and start delivering again the day you get back.

Prevent Water, Fire or Electrical Damage

• Shut off gas and water at the meter, supply tank or appliances.

• Turn off the water valves to washing machines, sinks and the dishwater.

• Do not forget to unplug electronics to cut down on any possible shortages which could potentially cause a fire.  According to Reader’s Digest, electrical equipment is the fourth common cause of house fires.

• Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working properly.

• Adjust your thermostat for the season.  In the winter, it should be between 55-60 degrees and in the summer between 75-80 degrees.

A Few Last Things Before You Leave….

• If you use a security system, notify your security system that you are leaving town.  In addition, tell the neighbors you trust to keep an eye out on the house for anything suspicious.

• Take out all of your trash to prevent your house from getting too smelly.

• The day you leave, go on one last walk through your home to secure windows, blinds, fences, doors and plugs. In case of emergency, this will make it easier for safety personnel to navigate through your home.  

If your neighbor calls while you are on vacation or you come back and encounter damages in your home, you can rest assured SERVPRO of Orange, Sullivan, and South Ulster Counties will make it like it never even happened.  We provide 24-hour emergency service and are dedicated to responding faster to any size disaster.  If you have any questions you can visit us at www.SERVPROosu.com or call us at 845-791-7647.  Our trained professionals are standing by.