Vacations are obviously supposed to be fun times full of relaxation and escaping from our normal responsibilities.

The thing is, if we don’t take care to prepare our homes for our extended absences, problems can quickly arise. Sometimes, things going smoothly simply depend on you being there in the house.

Having said that, there are always ways to prepare for a trip. After all, many people travel for week-long vacations annually, and sometimes multiple times a year. There has to be a way they all do it.

Let’s get into some basics here.

Ensure Your Security System Is Working

If you’ve chosen one of the many home security systems out there on the market, then you’re pretty much set for safety from trespassers. But if you have security cameras that run on batteries rather than a hardwire, you should make sure the cameras are all ready to go for your vacation. You might also want to alert your home security company that you’ll be away so the dispatchers know to be on the lookout for strange activity.

Install Timers on Lamps

This is an old trick; installing timers on your lamps will allow them to turn on and off at strategic times so it looks to the outside world that you’re home. It’s simple yet effective. Have the lights work as you would when you normally turn them on and off at your normal bedtime.

Try not to make these times a standard 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM. That looks too planned. Do your best to make the timers act like a human would, and you’ll have peace of mind when you’re away.

Pay Bills in Advance

Today, many people pay their bills automatically or through their mobile banking apps. So, if a bill does come in while you’re on vacation, you really don’t have to worry about it.

Of course, if you really don’t want to worry about paying bills on vacation, or if you won’t have any service where you’re going, or if you just are still on the snail mail system, you can prepare for your time away by paying all your bills in advance.

The month before you’ll be gone, pay some extra money on top of what you’re paying for this month. The utility company or whoever it is will count it as an overpayment and credit you on your next bill. Simple as that!

These are all simple steps to take before you go on vacation, but they will go a long way toward protecting you while you enjoy some rest and relaxation.