15 Tips to protect the house in summer

House like new

The return home is already hard enough so that, in addition, you have to do a thorough cleaning or you find it invaded with bugs. But we have the keys to find it like new.

Empty the fridge

To prevent the proliferation of bugs and bacteria, take a look in the fridge and remove all fresh and perishable foods. The best thing is that a week before leaving you plan your meals to consume everything and be able to leave the refrigerator stopped.

Trash cubes

Make sure you leave it very clean; without any debris that can rot or attract insects. And dry them well. This way you will avoid bugs and dampness.

Fight cockroaches and ants

Inside kitchen cabinets and in dark, damp areas like the bathroom, place some bay leaves. They keep cockroaches and ants away.

All well closed

Don't leave food packages open; it is best to keep them in closed cans.

Reduce dust to a minimum

Close the windows tightly and draw the curtains. This prevents dust from seeping through the cracks. It will also be useful to put some weatherstripping on doors and windows, and if you have mosquito nets, lower them.

Humidifies

Place a container of water in each room, especially if you live in a dry place. Keeping the humidity at 40-50% helps a lot so that the dust accumulates in less quantity.

Covers furniture and beds

Whenever possible, cover beds and furniture with old sheets. On the way back you will only have to remove them and put them to wash.

Turn off electrical appliances

Unplug the TV, the desktop computer, the microwave … Especially those that are in stand-by. You save and avoid damages if the tension rises.

And the fridge?

If you're going to be away for more than 15 days, unplug it too. Empty it and leave the door open to avoid odors and mold. If you leave it connected, there are refrigerators with the "vacation mode" function: the temperature rises to 15 degrees to spend less and the freezer remains the same.

Cut the supplies

Both water and gas, and part of the light (except for the one needed for the fridge, if you leave it on, the alarm …). You will reduce possible risks due to unforeseen losses or breakdowns.

Clothes without bad smells

Do not leave dirty clothes in the basket or in the washing machine. In addition to smells, germs will multiply. Solution: wash and store.

Beware of air fresheners

Remove or reduce air fresheners in closets and rooms. The odor can become concentrated and unpleasant when you return.

Clean pipes

Clean them by pouring in a mixture of 500 ml of hot water with 100 g of bicarbonate and then 200 ml of vinegar. Let it act for half an hour and pour more hot water. And put grates in the drains to prevent the entry of bugs.

Safe plants

So that they do not dry out and stay hydrated, you can place gelled water on the pots. Or something more rustic like filling a plastic bottle with water, poking a small hole in the cap and putting it upside down in the ground.

And after preparing the house so that when you return from vacation, you will find it as new, do not forget to take some precautions to make it more difficult for thieves …

Tricks to protect your home from theft

Put timers on the lights. So they will turn on and off as if there were someone.
Ally yourself with a neighbor or acquaintance. Ask him to pick up your mail from time to time, to raise and lower the blinds so they are not always at the same height, or to shop and collect clothes so that the house is not uninhabited.
Divert calls from landline to mobile. Or at least lower the volume so it doesn't sound non-stop, giving away your absence.
Be careful with the social networks. Talking about your vacation or posting photos will alert thieves that the house is empty.
Keep documents and valuables. You can look for nooks and crannies in your home that only you know about.
Take inventory. The Police recommend making an inventory of electronic devices (with brand, model, serial number and a photo), as well as other objects that may be the target of thieves. If they are stolen and the police get them back, it will be easier for them to return them to us.
Check your home insurance. Multi-peril insurance usually covers theft of objects inside the home, but jewelry and other objects are often excluded. Review your policy and find out if to protect them you have to pay a higher premium.
Security door. The more secure the door, the less likely you are to get robbed. If you do not want to install an armored or armored door, you can reinforce the one you have with another lock, or by adding steel reinforcements to the hinges.
Bars on the windows. It is highly advisable to install them on lower floors as it is an inexpensive way to prevent thieves from entering the home. We must not forget those that are in interior patios, they are the most unprotected, since they are not visible to everyone like those that face the street.