Safety Tips for Your Home: Utilities

If you are taking a vacation and plan to be away from home for more than a few days, it’s important to secure the safety of your home while you are away. A few essential steps can help to safeguard your home against potential damage. In particular, precautions should be put into place where your utilities are concerned.

• Gas- Have the Gas Company turn off your gas pilot light before you leave. Some companies will do this free or for a minimal charge. Shutting off the pilot light for your gas can prevent an explosion and the resultant fire should the gas system malfunction while you are away. Do not attempt to do this yourself, since you probably don’t have the pro per training. When you arrive home, have the gas company re-ignite the pilot light.

• Electric- Even the smallest appliance can be the cause of a fire if it has faulty wiring. Unplug all electronic devices and equipment including televisions,computers, radios, lamps and light fixtures, toasters, microwaves, toaster ovens, fans, and any other unnecessary appliances prior to leaving. Leave the refrigerator plugged in while you are away unless you have completely emptied it and cleaned it. Also, leave any appliances that are attached to programmable timer devices plugged in.

• Telephone- Delete any messages that are currently on your machine prior to leaving for your vacation. This will free up space for new messages that arrive while you are away. Do not record a new away message that indicates to callers that you are away on vacation for an extended time. There isn’t any benefit in alerting callers who could be potential burglars.

• Water- Shut off the main valve to your water before you leave. This prevents the possibility of inside flooding and damage should any pipes burst while you are away. Also, shut off outside faucets to prevent the possibility of having your water run freely while you are gone. Small neighborhood children with too much curiosity might accidentally turn on your outside faucet and not shut it back off. This would allow your water to run. Outdoor irrigation systems should also have their water supply turned off through a shut off valve. However, if you currently do not have a shut off valve for your irrigation system, you will need to leave it on.