Cleveland.com: Don’t Skip These House Care Tips Before Departing on Late-summer Trips

As fall sets in and kids are heading back to school, many families are booking last-minute vacation and Labor Day weekend plans. When families are away, homes left unoccupied may be a breeding ground for criminals. Homeowners must take care of certain household tasks to better protect themselves.

Sandra Kirkwood, the owner of TruBlue Total House Care of Avon & Olmsted Falls, says there are simple steps busy families can take to protect themselves from burglary. These tips include checking locks and hinges, tightening door knobs and ensuring that fencing and gates are secured, and tightening up the landscape to give the impression homeowners are present.

Kirkwood says the best tool to utilize is your neighbors or family members to keep an eye on your home while you’re out of town.

“It’s best to have a neighbor or a friend or a family member you can trust to check in on the house,” said Sandra Kirkwood, owner of TruBlue Total House Care of Avon & Olmsted Falls. “You don’t want to have indicators that no one is in the house.”

Other items to check off your household tasks this summer before hitting the road include replacing your furnace filter, emptying your dehumidifiers, checking all plumbing for leaks, and checking window glass and screens.

TruBlue Total House Care of Avon & Olmsted Falls is available to help seniors and busy families complete household tasks before they leave for vacation.