How to Prepare Your NYC Apartment Before Leaving for the Holidays

When traveling for the holidays, or in general, there are several things you should do at home before heading out. There’s the common set of chores like taking out the trash and doing the dishes, but going beyond the basics can give greater peace of mind and eliminate the potential of returning to a chaotic scene. With the stress of packing and planning, it’s easy to forget a step or two, but fret not, StreetEasy has you covered. Follow along for several tips on how to leave your apartment in tip-top shape before traveling.

9 Tips to Prepare Your NYC Apartment Before Traveling

Do a Thorough Cleaning

We already mentioned washing dishes and emptying the trash but it helps to do a little more. No one likes coming home to rotten food, so set aside time to throw out or freeze anything in the fridge that can go bad. Check your fruit bowl or basket to make sure there’s nothing that could spoil or attract fruit flies. 

Give the bathroom a good scrubbing, dedicate some time to wash and put away laundry, and even refresh your bedding (because who doesn’t like coming home to clean sheets?).

Turn Off and Unplug Certain Appliances

Most people turn off appliances when heading out of town but far fewer think to unplug them. This extra step not only conserves energy but can also be an effective safety measure. “It’s a good idea to unplug non-essential electronics such as the toaster, coffee maker, microwave, television, and other small appliances before departing for the holidays,” said StreetEasy Senior Strategic Partnerships Manager Carlo Romero. “By taking this precautionary step, you can significantly reduce the risk of electrical fires and conserve energy while you’re away.”

While unplugging, do a quick scan to make sure your faucets aren’t dripping. A leak or potential water damage is never fun to deal with and an even bigger headache when you’re away.

Arrange Care for Plants and Pets

This one is a bit obvious but still worth mentioning. If you have plants, make sure they are watered right before you leave and have whatever they might need — including exposure to sunlight or the right level of humidity. If necessary, ask a friend or relative to water them while you’re gone so that they continue to thrive while you’re out of town. Or if you’re crafty, set up a DIY drip irrigation system for your houseplants.

If you have pets that will require basic care (think fish or birds), leave detailed instructions for whoever will be checking in that explains feedings, litter changes, etc. Also, it’s worth considering offering to pay whoever will be stepping in during your absence, or even giving them a thank-you gift upon returning home. This small but thoughtful gesture will make your care provider feel appreciated and most likely willing to help out again in the future. 

Close and Lock Everything

No one wants to come home to find their belongings damaged from rain or snow because they forgot to close their windows so be sure to double-check before heading out. Make sure to lock them as well, along with doors, and turn lights off to conserve energy. This one might seem trivial to mention, but also make sure your refrigerator and freezer doors are shut tight. Close whatever curtains and blinds you can, both for privacy and to help keep temperatures regulated.

Skip the Drain Coverings

You may have seen those viral social media videos that suggest covering your sink and shower/tub drains with tape or a cup to prevent insects from crawling up and settling in while you’re vacationing. And while it can’t hurt, it’s certainly not a requirement.

“While some videos suggest the idea of covering sink and shower drains to keep insects from crawling up, it’s important to note that this is not necessary for most situations,” Romero explained. “In reality, keeping your apartment clean and free of any food debris is generally effective in preventing unwanted insect visitors.” If you’re concerned, pouring a bit of drain cleaner or natural solutions, like a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, can also help eliminate insects creeping up, Romero adds. You can also just use the drain stopper that may have come with your sink or tub.

Set Your Thermostat

If you’re lucky enough to have control over your apartment’s heat, set your thermostat to a lower temperature while you’re away. While there isn’t a specific temperature that suits everyone’s preferences and circumstances, a general rule of thumb is to set it about 5 to 10 degrees lower than you usually would if only leaving town for a couple of days. If you’re planning to stay away longer, you can lower it down even more to anywhere between 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit. “Setting the temperature within this range helps to prevent pipes from freezing while still providing some minimal heating to maintain a stable indoor environment,” said Romero.

Pause Package Deliveries

Check to see if you have any packages arriving while you’re gone and make arrangements to leave them with your doorman or someone that you trust. You can also set a vacation hold at your local post office, along with UPS and FedEx, that allows you to either reschedule deliveries for when you return or hold them for pickup at a later time. It’s also a good idea to put a pause on any subscription deliveries, especially if they are food delivery services like Hello Fresh or Blue Apron.

Test Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

This tip is often overlooked but it shouldn’t be. Test your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure they are functioning properly and replace batteries, if necessary. There’s not much you can do in the event of a fire while you’re not home, but working alarms can alert neighbors to a potential issue and help get it addressed sooner rather than later.

Leave a Set of Keys with Someone

We all hope that nothing goes wrong at home when vacationing, but things happen. That’s why it’s a good idea to leave a set of keys and any smart lock codes with someone you trust, or in a lockbox that can be accessed in the event of an emergency. And while you don’t need to leave a full itinerary behind, it might help if your emergency contact knows where you’re heading and how long you’ll be away. Little steps like this can make a potentially stressful situation less of a hassle.