Peak adulthood is preparing your home before leaving for vacation. Few things feel better than coming home to a clean house after being gone for a while. Summer is quickly approaching, and ’tis the season for weekend getaways, weeklong vacations, and much-needed vacations. Taking the time to prepare your home before leaving will save you from feeling anxious and stressed once your vacation is over.

Avoid arriving home to fruit flies, an overstuffed mailbox, and a room with clothing scattered everywhere with these tips:

Clean Out Your Fridge

Before leaving for your vacation, dispose of perishable food items in your fridge. This saves you from coming home to a smelly fridge with spoiled food. Leaving spoiled food in your fridge can also lead to potential bacteria growth and mold. It’s best to either finish your perishable food or donate it. You should also put fresh produce in the crisper to avoid fruit flies.

Stop Mail and Deliveries

Avoid coming home to a pile of mail and packages by informing your local post office of the dates you’ll be away. The sign of piled-up mail and packages can be a signal that your home is empty. You can also ask a neighbor or loved one to check on your mail and collect it regularly while you’re away.

Inform Friends and Neighbors

Let your friends, family, and trusted neighbors know that you’ll be away. Provide them with the dates you’ll be away, your itinerary, and any necessary information about your home in case of an emergency. They can help keep an eye out for your house, collect mail and packages, and help if something goes wrong.

Take Out the Trash

Make sure to empty all trash cans in your home before leaving. It will avoid unpleasant smells in your home as well as help keep unwanted insects and bugs at bay. This includes throwing away fresh flowers that will die by the time you return.

Make Your Bed

Packing clothes for your vacation can result in clothing being scattered everywhere. It’s easy to leave your room in that state, but trust us, the future you is going to hate it. Avoid coming home to a messy room by making your bed and changing your sheets. You’ll come home to a fresh bed waiting for you to get in it after a day filled with travel.

Set a Timer for Lights

Invest in light timers or smart home devices that can automatically turn lights on in your home. This will make it look like someone is home. Make sure to set them at different times to reduce the risk of someone breaking into your home.

Conserve Energy by Adjusting Your Thermostat

Adjust the settings on your thermostat to conserve energy while you’re away. Set your air conditioning to a higher temperature. This helps prevent excessive energy consumption.

Unplug Non-Essential Electronics

To conserve energy in your home, you should unplug electronics and appliances that won’t be in use while you’re away. Items like TVs, chargers, computers, and kitchen appliances should be unplugged. Also, make sure that all appliances and utilities are turned off before leaving. This includes ovens, stones, hair straighteners, and irons. Make sure faucets are tightly closed as well.

Preparing your home ahead of your summer travels can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed after returning. Security is a top priority, so if you don’t do anything else, remember to secure the windows and doors in your home before leaving.