Snowbirding (is that a word?)

[mapleskoff]

Curious as to what folks in states like MN, WI, ND do when preparing their homes to leave for the winter months. Do you shut off water to house? Hire a service to remove snow, etc. What other precautions do you take? TIA.

Doc Mike

[nitehawk]

Mike, go to Fleet farm in Appleton (on Wisconsin Ave) and purchase a monitoring system. It is usually back where the thermostats are. It monitors the temperature in the house, along with a moisture lead that lays on the floor.

If temp drops below your set point or senses water it will then call three different numbers that you input. Then that designated party can call you after checking the problem.

(by the way, former Neenah resident--NHS class of 1960)

[nitehawk]

Can't seem to edit first post.

We turn off water, set water heater on vacation mode, program furnace thermostat to 58 degrees, notify police to check on property, set three, sometimes four timers to activate LED lights at different intervals in different areas of the house, forward mail or hold until we know mailing address, pay to have driveway shoveled (no sidewalks), notify neighbors & friends when we are leaving and ask them to keep an eye on the house for any unusual activity.

We do make a point of telling them we are NOT and will NOT be selling unless they see us & our coach in the driveway.

Take enough of your meds along for your trip or let your physician know that you will need refill prescriptions done at Target or Sam's Club. Any chain that can verify your prescriptions.

Last, and not least, make darn sure your homeowner's insurance policy is paid & up to date. Take pics of everything in every room. Take valuable papers & put them in a safe deposit box in a bank. A small safe at home is easy to carry off and break open at leisure.

[whiteeagle]

From No. WI, we have ADT monitoring system with temp , breakin, motion... they call if ever an "event"

added motion camera system for perimeter and inside with auto saving - can keep any recordings for use if needed.

Have person that checks house frequently and waters plants, etc... , have snow plow service when > 2 "

Thermostat to 55F, water pump and softener system "off", hot tub emptied / winterized.... 3 timer lights in various rooms of house.

[mapleskoff]

Many of the things mentioned were actually items I would do. Thanks Nitehawk and WhiteEagle. We've set up cameras that send us an alarm on our cell phones if there is an intrusion. Police will be notified, and neighbors and family as well. Didn't know if I would shut off water to the house, but now I will. Like Fleet Farm more than Menards, so will pay them a visit. Valuable papers always go with us, along with powers of Atty, etc. This will be our second winter up here in the frozen tundra and want to go where there aren't any snow blowers. Hope my son-in-law will take care of our snow before we return. No sidewalks, so no fines for not shoveling.

Thanks again, fellow travelers. Be well.

[mapleskoff]

Thanks for the good words. Will take them to heart and will visit FF next week. Have cameras and communicated w/Neenah PD; they were quite nice. Appreciate your experiences and looking forward to leaving the cold behindus for a while this coming winter.

Doc Mike