An Ultimate Checklist for Snowbirds Heading South

Flocking to warms of the southern climate during the winter months can be a great way to satisfy the travel bug. Also, it is best for snowbirds who want to escape the cold winter weather. It is quite a challenging task to prepare everything before leaving the house. A checklist can help put minds at ease and provide protection to the house against theft, water damage or any other unwanted thing. Here is the ultimate snowbird checklist for leaving home and assuring things go smoothly without much hassle.

Monitor Temperature

People in cold climate save fuel by turning down the thermostats. It needs careful attention on its way because pipes can freeze due to low temperatures in the house. This could result in deteriorating the house if neglected.

Setting the thermostats between 50-60 degrees is highly recommended. Since everyone’s house temperature is different, using a home monitoring system is the best way to alerts about the condition. Various apps monitor and control the heat, lights, and so on.

Turn off all the Taps

The idea of going out to a warm area in the winter months is quite appealing. Leaving the without prior groundwork can cost hugely. So, one must make sure to turn off all the taps in the house. Adding this into a snowbird checklist helps reduce the risk of flood. Valves and automatic irrigation systems should be given preference for avoiding water leaks. Having pipes drained by an expert clear out this hassle.

Indoor Maintenance

Going on the southern region during winter can be among the best travel times. Doing the things written on the checklist helps saves a lot of effort and time. Indoor maintenance is paramount to a peaceful vacation.

Consider inserting new batteries to the smoke alarm. In case a house has a chimney, close the flue carefully. It will keep unwanted visitors away from entering. One can also add put a guard on the top of the fireplace for additional safety. Also, check all the door locks in the house.

Unplugging Appliances

When appliances are not in use, unplugging those saves energy costs. Pull out the plugs of television, refrigerator, microwave, and other appliances that will not be in use for a period. If you are going for too long, it is whimsically essential to recheck everything. If there is food on the fridge, throw all the stuff out to prevent mildew.

Exterior Maintenance

It is essential for every snowbird living in a snowy area to engage in activities that avoid liability issues. Plowing the driveway and sidewalks comes under the category of exterior maintenance. Arrange for someone to do this task.

Furthermore, gutters need cleaning to drain water quickly. So, don’t leave them without proper cleaning. Furniture and flowerpots often blow away in the wind. If you do not want it to happen with yours, make sure you do not leave them outside.

To Summarize

Snowbirds often start planning before winter's blustery chill begins to sting the bones. The above snowbird checklist can help secure the house for winter when heading south.