With so many things to think about before we go on holiday, local housing developer Bloor Homes has released its top tips to help homeowners in Thame prepare their properties before they depart.
From passports to packing, the family developer which operates the nearby Thame Meadows development, understands that the list of things we need to remember as we get ready for a holiday sometimes feels endless.
It has therefore put together a reminder of the quick and easy ways to ensure your home stays in tip top condition for your return.
1. Switch it off
Make sure that all appliances except for your faithful fridge/freezer are turned off at the wall and not left on stand-by. Lamps and multimedia devices can be unplugged because they consume electricity even if they are not used. Light bulbs, in particular, can overheat and, worst case scenario, ignite a fire.
If you are gone for a longer time, it is a good idea to switch off those circuits which will not be used, for example the lighting in your bedroom. For each circuit you will find one dedicated miniature circuit breaker in the consumer unit of your home – usually labelled with the circuit it is protecting.
What’s more, switching off appliances and circuits which will not be used during your holiday will also reduce energy consumption, thus positively influencing your electricity bill.
2. Not home alone
If you have upgraded your home into a smart home using building automation technologies, you can feel at ease while your home simulates your presence.
Otherwise, invest in a simple timing switch for your lights which can be set to turn on and off at certain times of the day, giving the impression that your home is still occupied. And if you are taking your car, ask a neighbour to park theirs on the drive or outside the home while you are away.
3. Hide the tell-tale signs
Nothing says you are on holiday like letters piling up on the doormat or empty bins left outside the home. Consider leaving a key with a trusted friend or family member so they can pick up the mail every few days and ask them to move any empty bins back to their normal storage place. Alternatively, the Royal Mail’s Keepsafe service will hold your mail for up to two months.
4. Lock it up
Ensure all doors and windows are closed and locked properly and keys are out of sight and therefore not in reach of any windows or your letter box. It is worth considering leaving a set of keys with a neighbour so that someone can gain access to the house if case of an emergency.
5. Getting social
We all like to take to social media to tell our nearest and dearest where we are and what we are doing. When you are heading on holiday take care that you aren’t promoting the fact that your house is empty to strangers and consider waiting until your return to post those sunshine snaps.
Vanessa Macnee, sales director for Bloor Homes South Midlands comments: “We understand that the time before holidays is often frantic and with the excitement of going away it is easy to forget about some of the practical things around the home.
“We hope with these handy hints homeowners across Thame will be able to jet off this summer safe in the knowledge that their homes and contents will be exactly as they left them on their return.”
Thame Meadows currently offers a range of three and five bedroom homes, with prices for a three bedroom Staunton design starting from £495,000.
For more information on the home and incentives available, please visit the marketing suite on Oxford Road, Thame, OX9 2DA. Alternatively contact the sales advisor on 01844 318 553 or visit https://bloorhomes.com/developments/south-midlands/thame-meadows.
