Planning a vacation can be fun, but preparing for it can sometimes feel a little overwhelming. From managing your mail delivery to ensuring your home is secure, there are steps you can take to make your time on the go more relaxing. Let’s take a look at some practical tips to help you prepare before your next trip.
woman carrying luggage (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Tip #1: Set up a vacation hold with USPS
You can easily set up a vacation hold with USPS, allowing you to hold your mail at the post office while you’re away.You can request directly online From USPSand you can also With USPS Informed Delivery, you can see photos in your mail before it arrives.
A person uses the USPS app. (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Tip #2: Set up your Wi-Fi thermostat
If you’re like me and live in a place where the temperature varies greatly depending on the time of day; smart thermostat Make your life easier at home or on the go. With a Wi-Fi thermostat, you can keep your home warm or cool for a few hours before you return from vacation. You can also prepare for severe weather conditions that may occur in your hometown during your trip, such as heat waves or extreme cold.
Wi-Fi thermostats are cheaper than smart thermostats Cool or heat the room only as directed. Smart thermostats track temperature settings and automatically adjust for efficiency. If you need something while traveling, a Wi-Fi thermostat is a more budget-friendly option.
Wi-Fi thermostat (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Read more: Another home thermostat found vulnerable to attack
Tip #3: Install security cameras outside your home
If you want the peace of mind that your property is safe while you’re away, consider installing security cameras around the entrances and exits of your home.we have a list Click here for recommended items to strengthen your home security.
doorbell camera (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
More information: 5 of the best light bulb security cameras
Tip #4: Sign up for a grocery delivery service
wide variety of grocery delivery app You can download it when you need groceries quickly, such as after returning from vacation or while traveling. Almost all grocery delivery apps allow you to customize your order, including pick-up date and time.
You can save money by ordering groceries while on vacation, as they are often cheaper than resort meals. Also, is your refrigerator empty when you get home after being away for a long time? Ordering online ensures you have the groceries to make dinner as soon as you get home from vacation.
Groceries delivered to your door (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
More: Best Travel Gear of 2024
Tip #5: Install security cameras inside your home
Installing security cameras in your home can monitor your activities and give you peace of mind. If you have pets at home, you can check on them even when you’re out and about. Leaving them in the care of others can be stressful, but using a camera can help ensure their well-being. I often travel with an inexpensive camera to observe vacation rentals when I’m away from home. And the only time you’re comfortable using your camera inside your home is when you’re out and about. I don’t like using the internal camera while I’m home, so I move it away from the room as soon as I get back.
home security camera (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Tip #6: Create email auto-replies in Gmail
If you handle your email in Gmail, you can set an out-of-office response for every email you receive. This lets the person emailing you know that you received the message but can’t reply. As a technology journalist, I need to keep communicating with everyone, and using autoreplies makes this easy. Here’s how to set up vacation replies in Gmail.
G-mail
- Open G-mail
- Click on the top right setting
- click Show all settings
Steps to create email auto-replies in Gmail (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
- Scroll down and leave responder and turn it on
- Please fill out the date range, subject And that automatic reply message
- Click at the bottom of the page. Save changes
Steps to create email auto-replies in Gmail (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
yahoo mail
- Please log in to yahoo mail account
- Please click gear icon (Settings) in the upper right corner
- choose Other settings
- Select on the left What to do during vacation
- toggle upon switch next door Turn on vacation responses
- Under the part that says “Show vacation responses between these dates”, Start and end dates For replies while on vacation
- Please enter your ~ custom message To let your contacts know that you are unavailable
- click keep To activate vacation responses
Outlook
These Outlook instructions are based on the January 2024 update for Microsoft 365 subscribers. If you find any discrepancies, be sure to check for further updates or specific settings.
- Open Outlook
- click File in the upper left corner
- select automatic response
- Please check Send an automatic reply box
- set date range For replies while on vacation
- make yours Out of office message
- click got it To enable automatic replies
AOL mail
- Please log in to AOL mail account
- click option (gear icon) in the top right corner
- choose Other settings
- click What to do during vacation
- toggle upon of Turn on vacation responses switch
- choose date for your reply
- Please enter your ~ customized vacation messages
- click keep To activate vacation responses
More: Best Travel Adapters of 2024
Bonus tip: Make your home look lived in
Security cameras and mail storage are great deterrents, but there are other ways to make it look like someone is home when you’re away. Here are some ideas:
- Timer lights up: Set timers for some lights smart light bulb Turn it on and off in the evening at home to recreate your typical routine.
- Car in driveway: If you have a neighbor you trust, ask them to park their car in your driveway from time to time as if someone were home.
- Radio at low volume: Playing music or talk radio quietly can create the illusion that there are people inside.
- Pause shipping: Beyond USPS and what’s mentioned above, if you have non-essential deliveries scheduled for the holidays, consider pausing them to avoid boxes piling up outside your front door.
By following these tips, you can create the illusion of ownership and thwart potential burglars.
Cart important points
Vacations are a great way to take a break from work, relax, and spend quality time with friends and family. However, it can also be a headache if you come home to find the mail overflowing or the house too hot or too cold. These six tips are the ones I always use when I go on vacation to give me greater peace of mind and help me organize everything when I get home. Especially thanks to the auto-reply email, it saved me a lot of stress.
Security concerns may vary by location. Have you ever had a close call or learned a valuable lesson about home security while traveling? Email us. Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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