The holidays are in full swing, and it's the perfect time to take a well-earned vacation. Whether you're heading somewhere sunny or visiting relatives, it's essential to prepare your apartment for your absence. Exercising some quick precautions will leave your space in prime condition to prevent maintenance issues or sneaky visitors. 

Once you hit the road, you can enjoy your break while knowing your place is safe and clean. Here are seven ways to prepare your apartment ahead of a holiday trip.

1. Unplug Your Appliances

Unplug any unnecessary appliances, such as the TV, toaster and lamps. Your apartment will use less energy while you're gone, and there'll be less potential for fires. Be sure to turn off or unplug any heaters and other fire-prone devices.

You probably have a low chance of experiencing any electrical incidents, but it's always better to be safe and cut everything off. Paying a smaller electric bill doesn't hurt, either.

2. Get an Apartment Sitter

Ask a friend or relative to watch your apartment. You won't have to go through the trouble of making your place look lived-in. Plus, they'll collect all your mail for you and pet-sit any animals you may have. If they can't help you out, ask a kindhearted neighbor to watch over your place.

Hiring a professional apartment sitter is another option, and you're bound to find luck as a New Yorker. Sitters jump at the chance to visit appealing, well-known cities. Only try this if you don't mind a stranger staying in your place, though.

3. Set Your Thermostat

Heating your place while you're gone causes you to lose money. No one's there to enjoy the toasty environment, so why keep it cranked up to the 70s? Set it at a level that's comfortable for you — not super warm, but not cold enough to freeze your pipes.

If you have a smart thermostat linked with a smartphone app, you have the luxury of doing this step from home or while you're already on the plane. Or, you can set it to adjust automatically. Once the room is empty, your HVAC will drop the temperature on its own, leaving you with peace and reassurance.

4. Leave the Tap Open

Leave at least one faucet on while you're gone —a slow dripping of water is enough. Doing this will prevent your pipes from freezing, which would otherwise lead to pipe bursting. It's better to pay a little more for your water bill that month than have a waterlogged, moldy apartment to come back to.

Look for signs of failing pipes and plumbing issues a couple of weeks before you leave — you'll give yourself adequate time to fix these problems. Common indications of damaged plumbing include rattling pipes, drains that don't empty and weak water pressure. If any of these are present in your rental, dial a professional before setting off on your vacation.

5. Buy an Automatic Light Timer

If no one's going to be watching your place for you, set a timer to turn your lights on and off. A light timer will create the appearance of a lived-in apartment, which will deter nosy criminals.

If possible, program the lights to come on at slightly different times every day. Unless you keep a tight lighting schedule, you likely don't turn them on at the same time daily. A cunning thief could notice this and figure out you're using a switch.

6. Do a Deep Clean

The days leading to a vacation are often hectic and exciting, but remember to squeeze in some time to spruce up your space. Take out your trash and wash the dishes before you go. A sink or garbage can full of spoiled food attracts pests — you don't want to find a house party of rats or roaches once you return. 

Now is also a good time to do any extra cleaning you've been meaning to tackle, like scrubbing the bathroom or vacuuming the floor. You'll feel great coming back to a sparkling apartment after a relaxing vacation.

7. Hide Valuables in Unexpected Spots

Hopefully, you will leave your apartment locked and secured, but consider hiding your valuables as an extra step. Leaving them in plain sight makes it easier for potential thieves to run off with your belongings. Avoid putting them in typical hiding spots like closets and drawers, because burglars will look in these areas first.

Stash your things in empty food containers, potted plants, a vacuum cleaner bag or even a printer. Anything with an inconspicuous hollow space will work.

Buy a surveillance camera to survey the apartment interior and exterior if you're particularly cautious. These days, you can even get a smart system that lets you monitor your home remotely. Many devices, like Ring and Remo+, have companion apps that let you view footage on your smartphone.

Protect Your Rental Through the Holiday Season

Ready to embark on a wintry adventure? With these tips, your apartment will be safe and sound when you come back. In the meantime, you can enjoy your vacation without the stress of mishaps and incidents. Here's to another year of safe NYC living.

Holly Welles is a real estate blogger covering design, finance and market trends for apartment dwellers. You can find more of her work on her blog, The Estate Update.

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