JAMES AND MORRIS CAREY \ On the House Going away? Be sure to get the home ready

November and December are traditionally busy months for travel, much because of holiday gatherings in faraway places. In addition, retirees find themselves seeking a warmer climate to ease their aching bones.
Whether leaving your home for a long Thanksgiving weekend or for an extended season of sunshine, there are steps that you can take that will minimize the risk of damage to your home when you're not there.
All those little hoses and lines -- in the kitchen, bathroom, or utility room -- that bring water to your sinks, toilet, and washing machine are potential floods in the rooms they serve. They spell disaster if you're out for the day -- and a catastrophe if you're gone for weeks or months.
Turn off the water supply valves to each water-fueled fixture in the home. This provides iron-clad flood insurance (at least for these items) for as long as you intend to be away, up to and including a year long around-the-world cruise.
Check the rubber hoses leading to your washing machine periodically and especially before leaving on a trip. If they feel brittle, it's time for replacement. Even when you're home, you should always keep these hoses fresh to prevent problems. You can reduce risk even further by upgrading hoses with an outer covering of braided stainless steel.
Waterlines
The same thinking goes for the small water leads to your kitchen and bathroom sinks and toilets. Over a period of time, these small lines (often only lightweight metals) can corrode due to natural electrolysis and may develop pinhole-size leaks that can wet down a room in minutes.
Obviously, these water leads need frequent inspection to spot potential problems -- and like their washing machine cousins, they too can be easily and inexpensively replaced or upgraded (again with stainless steel braid covered lines) for greater peace of mind.
UIf it uses water, turn off the supply.
UIf it uses electricity, unplug it.
UIf it uses energy, turn it down, turn it up or turn it off.
vIf it burns fuel, remove the ignition source.
UTurn down the furnace -- or turn up the air conditioner thermostat.
ULower the water heater temperature setting.
UTurn off all washing machine water hoses and sink/toilet water leads.
UUnplug all electronics and appliances. Resetting clocks is easier than replacement or a possible malfunction that results in a fire.
What about having your home broken into while you are away? According to law enforcement statistics, more than 50 percent of all break-ins are simply crimes of opportunity. These are situations where intruders are virtually invited in by unlocked windows and doors.
Some homeowners often make things even more inviting by providing shrubbery to conceal actions.
Air tight
A few simple guidelines can make your home as tight as the proverbial bug in a rug, affording you greater safety while you are home and when you're away:
Check all windows and door locks, upgrading where possible. Then use these simple protections.
UAdd a heavy-duty security storm door to outside doors and toughen up sliding patio doors with pin-locks and crossbars to deter forced opening.
UTrim back any shrubbery and bushes near windows and doors that might provide cover for a burglar's work-in-process.
UAdd outdoor security lighting with a motion detector on/off control.
UAdd metal security bars over windows and doors in high-risk areas, such as basement windows. Make sure that these bars have quick-release safety latches for those inside.
UNever hide a house key in an obvious location. Even amateurs know most favorites, like under mats, in flower pots, and inside fake rocks.
UClose drapes and shades when you're out.
UAlways watch for unusual activity and new faces near your home. Even first time burglars-in-training know it's better to hit an empty house than to break in and possibly contend with a gun-toting, professional wrestler-sized, teamster-tough, angered homeowner.
What do the theives look for? First and foremost is a home that is dark, quiet, and appears to be unoccupied at the moment.
The best way to fool them is to make it look like you're home. Use the following tips to scare them off:
UUse timers in different rooms to turn lights on and off.
UHave others turn the TV or radio on and off at normal hours as well.
ULeave a car parked in the driveway.
UHave a friend or neighbor pick up mail and newspapers until you return. As an alternative, stop all mail and newspaper deliveries until you return.
UNever, ever change the message on your answering machine to proudly announce something like "The Wilson's are off to Hawaii. See ya'll in three weeks! Aloha!" You may as well be there to help crooks load their truck with your belongings.
UArrange to have the lawn mowed. In winter, keep snow on front porches, sidewalks, and driveways shoveled.
In addition, consider the following before leaving on an extended trip:
UHide all valuables in unlikely places, like the freezer or empty boxes and cans in kitchen cabinets.
UMake sure a neighbor has your itinerary and phone numbers to contact you in the event of an emergency.
XFor more home improvement tips and information visit www.onthehouse.com.
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