For many Southern Nevada homeowners, the holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year, with scheduled travels or holiday hosting. If you’re packing up for a few days or a few weeks, taking time to prep your home can prevent unexpected issues while you’re away. A simple pre-travel home maintenance checklist can help you avoid costly repairs, unnecessary stress and preventable safety hazards.
At Resource Repair, we’ve seen how small oversights can quickly become big problems, especially during the winter months. Before you lock up and hit the road, read through these essential holiday home safety tips:
- Holiday Home Safety Tip #1 – Unplug Holiday Decor and Check Fireplace Safety: Before traveling, unplug all holiday lights, powered decorations and artificial trees. If you’ve recently used your fireplace, clear out any debris and ensure everything is safely extinguished. Pro Tip: House fires peak during the winter months due to electrical or heat-related issues. If you need help inspecting cords, outlets or fireplaces, Resource Repair can help Southern Nevada homeowners with a quick and easy safety check.
- Holiday Home Safety Tip #2 – Confirm Your Stove and Oven Are Fully Off: Holiday cooking often means multiple appliances running at once. Before you leave, double-check that:
- All burners and stove knobs are off
- The oven is fully off
- Small appliances are unplugged
- Holiday Home Safety Tip #3 – Set Your Thermostat for Energy-Efficient Vacation Mode: Keep your home protected without overworking your HVAC system. Lower the temperature or switch your smart thermostat to “vacation mode.” Not sure what setting is best for winter travel in Las Vegas? Resource Repair can help you choose energy-efficient, home-safe settings before your trip.
- Holiday Home Safety Tip #4 – Setting Times on Your Indoor and Outdoor Lighting: When preparing your home for holiday travel, indoor and outdoor lighting is often overlooked but it plays a key role in keeping your property secure. Using timers or smart plugs are an easy way to conserve energy and give your home a lived-in look while you’re away–an effective deterrent for potential break-ins. In addition to setting your lights on a schedule, consider looping in a trusted neighbor about your travel plans. When you’re away, they can help by collecting mail, newspapers and packages, as well as bringing up garbage cans, small actions that prevent your home from looking unoccupied. If you don’t have that neighbor, Resource Repair can be that neighbor for you, serving as that trusted local resource helping to keep your home secure even when you’re away.
- Holiday Home Safety Tip #5 – Locks, Seals and Detectors: The Small Checks Matter Too: Before walking out the door, make sure:
- All windows and doors are securely locked
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working
- Batteries are replaced
- Garage and entry locks are functioning correctly
If anything needs fixing, Resource Repair can handle repairs quickly so your home is secure before you leave.
A few small maintenance steps can make all the difference during holiday travel. For holiday home maintenance, pre-travel safety checks or winter repair services in Las Vegas, call Resource Repair at 702-248-1004.