With New Jersey weather having been unseasonably warm this winter thus far, you may have put off the necessary task of closing your seasonal home. Don’t let the passing of all the winter holidays fool you. Winter still has a chance to pack a severe punch and according to the Farmer’s Almanac, it just might come February and March. Get back on task and close your summer home before it has a chance to get too cold and blustery.
These are some things you’ll need to take care of:
- Shut off the water – there is nothing worse than coming back to your vacation home to find it covered in water due to a burst pipe over the winter.
- Unplug all appliances – there is no need to leave anything plugged in at all. Even without being used, appliances that are plugged in can drain electricity and cause damage if there is a power surge or lightning strike.
- Turn off all circuit breakers- of course, leave on circuit breakers for alarm systems so you will be notified if there is an issue at the house.
- If your home runs on natural gas, turn off the gas supply by notifying the gas company.
- Empty the refrigerator and cupboards – If you will be leaving any non-perishable foods at the house, pack them in airtight plastic or glass containers that can not be penetrated by hungry animals. However, removing all foods is a much better solution as some canned goods could explode if they are left in extreme temperatures.
- Bring all outdoor furniture and accessories like grills and garbage cans indoors. Do not leave anything outside that could blow around or get ruined in bad weather.
- Lock all locks. Don’t forget garage doors, sheds, and windows that may usually remain open.
- Remove all garbage and take a last look at the property to see if anything else could cause problems while you are away for the winter.
