By CHRISTINE LYNCH
The Cape’s changing seasons are a charming part of living here. Still, many people find that the pesky wintertime isn’t as wonderful an experience as it once was. The cold seeps into bones faster, snow shovels seem to weigh more than they used to, plus aging brings an awareness of falling. Lots of folks prefer not to deal with winter temps and weather, choosing to escape to warmer spots. They’re snowbirds, although some folks don’t fly away for the entire chilly half of the year. They might take three months, one month, or just enough to retain enough warmth in the body to make it through the March thaw.
Before throwing beach clothes and other warm weather gear into a case, homeowners have to close up their house properly to prevent easily avoidable problems. Do a property check both outside and in to make sure tree limbs are trimmed back away from the home and to ensure there aren’t any openings for squirrels and the like to settle inside when the house is empty.
If the place doesn’t have a security system, it’s a good time to look at companies because there have been recent improvements with options such as wireless connections and Smartphone access control. This means that you can control the house lights, temperature, and view inside and outside via surveillance cameras. The goal is to keep the house and property safe in any situation, such as severe weather, flooding, fire, low burner fuel levels, as well as keeping it secure against burglary attempts and animal damage. This advice also pertains to people who arrive here for the warm months, then leave their Cape house at summer’s end.
One couple we know is fortunate to have a grown son who lives in their place the entire time when they’re away. If you plan to be gone for several months and don’t have a trusted friend or relative willing to house sit, you can arrange for a professional house sitter to stay on the premises. This gives the appearance of activity, should a burglar be casing neighborhoods. That’s a sad statement, but one that should be considered. Another strategy is to talk with a Realtor about offering your place as a winter rental. Before looking at a house sitter or renter, decide if you are okay with a stranger living in your home.
If you choose to leave your place uninhabited, a good tip is to leave a car in the driveway and ask someone to start and move it periodically. Canceling or forwarding papers and mail delivery can indicate that no one is home, so ask a neighbor to collect them and to keep an eye on your property. Maybe thank them by having them over to dinner and bringing them a nice gift from your warm weather destination. Also, hire a landscaping service to mow the grass regularly, trim the plantings, and rake leaves. Many of these Cape companies also shovel walks and plow driveways. Should you prefer not to bother anyone to check on your place, get in touch with a reliable maintenance company to handle these tasks.
Before leaving, set lights on timers and have them go off and on at different times in the various parts of the house. Use one to turn a radio or TV on and off at different times of the day. One important point for those who share life’s moments on social media, don’t broadcast your travel plans and even though it’s not fun, wait to post pictures until you’re back.
“Many homeowners don’t spend enough time preparing and protecting their homes for the off-season or winter,” noted Mary Ellen Donald. She helps run The Fuel Company-Energy Solutions, which offers “plumbing winterization” for homeowners.
For those leaving for an extended period, she said they may want to “shut the heating system down and have heating pipes drained and blown out using an air compressor.” She also mentioned some areas that sometimes are overlooked when winterizing a home, including “disconnecting the dishwasher and ice maker lines, also outside showers and faucets need to be drained and may need to be blown out.”
People, who might be coming back to their Cape house occasionally may wish to keep on their heat. Ms. Donald said, it’s a “good idea to maintain 55 degrees once the temperature drops.” Another idea she shared is “using a nontoxic antifreeze for their pipes and toilet bowls.”
For part-time residents, Carefree Cape has many home security solutions. Owner Diane Dorr started her home maintenance/security business in 2003 “in order to help those that are mainly here part time.” Carefree Cape serves multiple purposes for those folks: it offers property watch when people are away as well as maintenance and gardening either when they’re gone or in residence. Additionally, the business extends a concierge service, such as doing a thorough spring cleaning and stocking the fridge prior to their return, “to let them relax and enjoy the Cape.” When people arrive back on Cape tired from their trip, they step into a welcoming house, not one that needs to be aired out and restocked.
“Our goal is to make life easy.” Ms. Dorr said. Over the years, she’s listened to what people want in home maintenance/protection and has adjusted the emphasis and services of her company. She’ll continue to make changes as needed to keep current with technology and to serve her customers’ needs as requirements change.
She mentioned, “We have long term relationships with our client base and they in turn have referred us to people they know.” She also said that she’s worked with the same electrician and plumber, along with several sub-contractors since she started the business. And, she carries liability and workers compensation for her employees, which range from six to eight people year round, double in the summer.
By design, her company only works in a localized area, with about 80 percent of the business around Falmouth. Ms. Dorr said, “We’re service oriented, so we want to be able to respond right away.” As an example, she mentioned the many occasions when alarms are triggered, “We want a quick response.” Their experience has prepared the company to handle almost every situation.
Besides securing the house, moving pets is another big concern. If you are leaving the Cape for a few weeks, will you take Fido or Sheba along? Some animals like to travel, others do okay in a kennel, and some prefer their own home. You know your pets best. If you can’t or choose not to bring them along, will they be boarded? Or perhaps you can use a local trustworthy pet sitter. Some pet sitters also house sit, which would provide a real presence in the place. If you board, make sure the place offers a clean area with plenty of room, access to windows and the outdoors, and regular play times. Remember to pack some favorite toys and comfy blankets, just as parents do for children.
If pets will accompany you, are you flying or driving? If you’re taking a plane, speak with your veterinarian about traveling with pets. Dr. Gordon Olmsted of the West Falmouth Veterinary Clinic shared helpful advice: “Before flying, don’t feed them much at all to prevent accidents.” He also said some animals do better with a mild tranquilizer, available through your vet, to calm them.
The airlines frequently update rules regarding animals and their requirements, so get solid information up front from an airline representative. Then, document what you were told, date it, and bring it along when you check in at the airport. We’ve all heard some scary tales about how airlines treat humans and pets, so don’t be one of those newspaper stories.
If you plan to drive any distance, Dr. Olmsted suggests using Dramamine if your pets get queasy. “Start it a good hour prior you travel.” He also said, “a good idea is to have a first aid kit for anything the pet may need.” For example, include medications; bandages, hydro peroxide; antiseptic such as Neosporin or bacitracine; upset stomach medication; an eye ointment; baking soda for bee stings; Benadryl for allergic reactions, etcetera. When you stop for the night, he said, there are “pet friendly accommodations that can be searched online so you can make reservations ahead.” Take plenty of water and stop frequently for pee and exercise breaks. That’s also helpful to the humans in the car. Keep in mind, that local water might upset your pet’s stomach (yours, too), so try bottled water.
There’s so much to cover when planning a trip, but start by making lists of all the details that matter for your home, property and reaching your winter destination. Once each item is checked off, it will help you enjoy your getaway a lot more.