Before leaving your Greater Lafayette home for a holiday visit, think beyond packing and turning out the lights. A short information sheet for a trusted contact can make it easier to handle an unexpected concern while you are away. Keep the sheet somewhere private, not taped to a window or shared in a public post.
1. Write down who should be called first.
Include your preferred contact number, a backup person who can be reached, your departure and return dates, and instructions for what requires an immediate call. Explain how to reach you if you will have limited phone coverage, but avoid publishing travel dates or the fact that your home is vacant.
2. Agree on access before you travel.
Decide who is authorized to enter, how they will do so, and what to do if a door or lock appears damaged. Do not leave spare keys in obvious outdoor hiding places. Confirm with the person checking your home what areas they are permitted to inspect and whether pets or alarms are involved.
3. Note the important household controls.
Show an authorized person the location of the main water shutoff, the electrical panel, and the thermostat without encouraging them to work on electrical, gas or mechanical equipment. Keep appliance manuals and emergency provider contact information accessible to the trusted person.
4. Decide what observations matter.
Ask your contact to report visible leaks, unusual indoor temperatures, accessible standing water, broken windows, unexpected odors and signs of unauthorized entry. Someone providing home watch is looking for changes; it is not the same thing as a licensed inspection or a guarantee that nothing will go wrong.
5. Set boundaries for repairs.
Specify whether the contact should call you before arranging property maintenance, and who may authorize urgent work if you cannot be reached. A photo and a brief explanation can help you make a decision remotely, provided it is safe to take the photo.
6. Plan for ordinary Indiana weather.
Keep outdoor drainage routes reasonably clear and follow safe manufacturer guidance for heating while away. If a forecast changes or an issue is discovered, your contact should know how to notify you instead of guessing whether the situation can wait.
A simple one-page document is enough: contacts, access arrangements, alarm or pet notes, a short observation checklist and emergency decision rules. Review it whenever the household changes, and store it securely afterward.
If you would rather not rely on a neighbor alone, ask about the scope of our home watch service. For issues that need attention after an observation, HHC can also discuss property maintenance options for Lafayette, West Lafayette and surrounding communities. Service scope and scheduling are confirmed before work begins.
For a helping hand around the house, explore residential cleaning and routine home maintenance.
Thanks for reading. Check back with our family for more practical ideas to help care for your home.
