Leaving Florida ?

NOTE:  Please provide the office with your northern contact information prior to leaving in the case there is an emergency. Or make sure that your contact information is included in the Seabreeze Database Directory. 

This list has been compiled from various sources as a courtesy and is for information purposes. It is NOT contractor advice and not all items are necessary for all. Be sure to verify for yourself what will work best for your situation. 

What NOT to Leave Behind

1. Make a list of what NOT to leave behind – medications, hearing aids, etc. and double check you have everything when you leave. 

2. Important paperwork (birth certificates, etc.) should be brought with you or put in a safety deposit box. You don’t want to have to replace because of flooding or a burglar. 

3. Bring a list of trusted local contractors with you encase circumstances require you to arrange for service from a distance. 

4. Take inventory: Use your cell phone to video every room in your home including outside. This evidence makes filing insurance claims or identifying stolen items much easier. 

WHO to Contact

5. Notify the Park office of your departure (and planned return) date. They have a form to complete upon leaving Florida.

6. Stop mail, newspapers, and deliveries. Fill out form for home address change and provide to post office if you want mail forwarded. 

7. Identify which services to put on “vacation” and contact them. E.g. Wifi, television… 

8. Where possible have your bills come to you via email and not through the mail. 

9. Arrange for someone to periodically check your property (preferably once a week). Trust them enough to give them a key. 

Reduce Moisture and Mold Risk

10. Most important you MUST leave your air conditioner running. Set the temp between 78°F and 80°F. Make sure your air conditioner is working properly and in good condition. Install a new air filter or ensure your permanent filter is clean. If possible have it changed/cleaned every 2 months while you are away. 

11. If you have a humidistat set to 60 percent. 

12. Toilets: Clean, lift the seat and toilet tank lid: add one cup of bleach (stop mold) to bowl water and tank water;   and, put saran wrap over the toilet bowl and tank opening to stop the water from evaporating. Close both lids. 

13. Shut off main water valve to your mobile (Bradenton Water no longer does shut offs but will charge a “minimum” charge if no water is used at the property). This is your LAST TASK before you leave. (IF you leave water ON then suggest: shutting off hot and cold water to washing machine to reduce risk of pressure damage to hoses; and, if hot water tank is shut off then shut off water to hot water tank and reduce risk of bad leak). 

14. Place moisture and odor absorbing products in strategic places. Recommend using Charcoal (moisture and odor) OR Damp Rid crystals (for moisture) and Baking Soda (for odor). You can buy dry Damp Rid by the bag at Home Depot. Put a few cups into a plastic container (no lid) and place inside a much larger tinfoil pan. Do the same with baking soda, open boxes and put inside a tinfoil pan. Recommend at least one in each room and closet.  

15. Maximize air circulation and reduce moisture collection: Open all drawers (kitchen, dresser, etc), cabinet and cupboard doors. Bottom drawers are opened the widest getting less wide as you move up the drawers; maximizes air flow. 

    • Leave no clothes on wire hangers and none in garment or plastic bags. Rust stains and mildew are often permanent. 

    • Open all closet and inside doors. Prop open with a weight if they have a tendency not to stay open. Do NOT open door to lanai / add-on room UNLESS it is included in your heating/air conditioning system and has a robust outside door with lock. Lock door to any screened-in lanai. 

    • Turn up spreads and dust ruffles on couches, chairs, beds… pin if needed. Pull furniture with fabric away from outside walls and stand all bed pillows and couch/seat cushions on end (less trapped moisture). 

Appliances

16. Dishwasher: Clean your dishwasher thoroughly, paying attention to the edges of the door. Unlike other appliances, the less its used, the more likely it is to break. Water remains in the bottom of your dishwasher for a reason; keeps seals moist, prevents leaks and protects the motor. When not used for long periods, the water evaporates, seals dry out and leaks/motor problems become likely. To prevent this, before a dishwasher sits unused for more than two or three weeks. Pour a cup of vinegar into the bottom of your dishwasher and run it (helps to clean out any soap build-up). Once cycle is over, pour in a cup of vinegar or liquid bleach (this prevents bacterial buildup). Then, add 3 tablespoons of mineral oil. The oil coats the surface of the water and prevents evaporation. Close the door. 

17. Fridge: If you unplug your fridge, empty it, clean it, dry it and prop door open so it will not close. If you leave your fridge running: 

    • Don’t leave a running fridge/freezer empty, you can store non perishable food and spices in the fridge. Fill a few clean plastic milk jugs ¾ full of water to take up some of the space (cap closed tightly). 

    • Before you go, fill a plastic container with water and freeze, put a penny on the top of the ice. IF when you return and the penny is at the bottom of the container, you know the power was off long enough for the water to have melted. Alternately, put a few ice cubes in a zip-lock bag and check if they have melted and refroze into the bottom of the bag. If the power was off, be extra diligent in checking for mold around the mobile. 

    • Set the temp a little higher (less cold), because you will not be opening and closing the doors. 

18. Garbage Disposal: Run ice cubes through your garbage disposal. Then, flush with baking soda and water. Then, put 2-3 tablespoons of vegetable oil down to keep it from rusting or seals from drying out (some folks spray WD-40 down it). Finally, put the stopper in place. 

19. Washing Machine: Put one cup of bleach in your washer and run it on a hot cycle. Professionals recommend to leave door/lid open. For top-loader washer, recommend cover opening with a piece of screen (…so gecko doesn’t get trapped inside and die… yuck). 

Keep the Critters Away

20. Have a professional pest control firm spray around and under the house for pests before you leave OR distribute the pesticide around the house yourself. Ortho Bug Stop from Home Depot has been recommended. 

21. Food and water will call to bugs. Do a thorough cleaning throughout the property, leave no tasty crumb behind. Don’t forget the trap door under the toaster. 

22. Keep the food bank in mind if you have unopened food/beverage items you won’t be using or taking with you. 

23. Give away or dispose of opened bottles and jars of salad dressings, condiments, and other perishable items. Not worth the risk of getting sick when you return if they have developed a bad bacteria or spoiled. 

24. Make sure NO dry goods food is left in the cupboards. Pack into plastic totes with lids if leaving behind. If you have space, put in the fridge if its left running. 

25. Check under your sinks in the kitchen and bathrooms where pipes enter the home. Buy some Steel wool and pack it around the pipes. Check the cupboard above your stove, there is usually a vent pipe located there and use the steel wool to block any holes or gaps around that pipe. 

26. Pour 1 cup of bleach or vinegar down each drain then put stoppers in/over all drains. Some folks pour 2-3 tablespoons of oil down each drain before closing with stopper. (Sinks, tubs, washer,…). 

27. Put cloves in dresser drawers and linen closet (bugs don’t like it). 

Electrical Safety

28. Shut off power to hot water heater at the electrical panel. 

29. Unplug everything that won’t be used while you are away (antennae, small appliances, television, washer, dryer, printer, shredder…). Some folks prefer to turn off all breakers accept those required for use like: air conditioning; security; fridge; and timed lights. 

30. Where possible, put “serge” protectors on anything that will be left plugged in (e.g. fridge). 

31. Take all batteries out of remotes (avoid corrosion). Optional: to take batteries out of smoke alarm(s) (don’t forget to put back!) and any electric toothbrushes. 

Security - Know What’s Happening at Your Property and Don’t Tempt the Burglars

32. Optional: If willing to leave Wifi working while you are gone: 

    • HIGHLY Recommend: Place a wifi security camera where it can view your thermometer. While you are away, check daily to ensure your air conditioning/humidstat systems are working. 

    • Consider an alarm system or getting exterior security camera(s) or a video doorbell. You want something that works through your wifi and if you will be gone longer than one month, it needs to run on solar or be plugged in. Most of these systems will alert you through your phone when they are triggered (something moves, someone rings your doorbell). Be sure to change the factory passcode when you install any of these systems. 

33. If you have exterior window shields (clam coverings), close them. Helps protect against weather. 

34. Lock Up: all exterior doors – always good to have a deadbolt lock as well as a door handle lock. Lock sliding patio doors and put a “security bar” in the slider for extra security. Lock all windows – use an appropriately sized wooden dowl as a security bar if feasible for the type of window. 

35. Close all curtains (burglars can’t see in and also reduces furniture fading). Some seasonal residents place heavy cardboard or aluminum foil in windows and skylights to keep out heat and sun. 

36. Have a timer on at least one light in your home so that it cycles on and off at proper times to make the home appear occupied. 

37. Have one or two security lights in the rear of your home that are triggered by motion detectors. 

38. Leave your drive-way road light on for extra illumination (change bulb to LED or solar to reduce costs). 

39. Ask permanent residents if they and/or their guests will periodically park in your driveway. Be sure to inform anyone checking your property. 

Vehicle Left Behind

40. Fill gas tank. 

41. Pressure up all tires and park so front of vehicle is facing toward mobile (not street). 

42. Disconnect battery (harder to steal). 

43. Cover (get a dull colour, less noticeable). 

44. Consider if you want to reduce vehicle insurance coverage to fire and theft. 

Outside

45. Confirm yard work (weeds) will be taken care of / sprayed while you are away. 

46. Bring in any outdoor furniture and rid the property of potted plants and other mobile items that can become projectiles in high winds. 

47. BBQ: 

    • Disconnect propane tank. 

    • Remove side panels if needed. 

    • Put any utensils in the mobile (will rust). 

48. Outside Furniture: 

    • Put all cushions inside mobile. While these can be put into the shed or lanai, fabric has a higher risk of collecting moisture and developing mold in the extreme temps. 

    • Roll up any ground coverings and put into shed. 

    • If table(s) won’t fit inside, consider turning upside down to reduce risk of lifting and breakage during high winds. If possible, tie a table leg to a permanent structure. 

General Maintenance Checks

49. Inspect for potential leaks or water build-up: How is the roof? Check your plumbing system for leaks. Look for wet areas or water stains in your kitchen, bathroom and laundry areas. How are the gutters, clear or growing things? Address any issues before you leave. 

50. Check under home for any tears in the vapour barrier fabric, get any fixed. This barrier will keep a lot of unwanted pests out. 

51. Irrigation systems work on recycled water so shouldn’t be affected if you shut off the mobile main water valve. If you have auto settings double check they are set to run on the days and times permitted under any watering restrictions. Some systems have a battery backup in the event the power fails, replace if not working. 

Courtesy of Cathy Fisher, | Lot 140 | April 8, 2023

Tips to help prevent mildew and ensure an easier cleanup when you return

• Close windows before you leave and lock them.  Pull blinds.

• Put plastic wrap on toilets (this slows water evaporating).

• Unplug all lamps, TV’s, computers, and phones.

• Replace your air conditioner filter.

• Set up humidistat at 60 % and your thermostat at 80 degrees (set thermostat on cool and auto).

• Turn up spreads and dust ruffles on couches and chairs.  Pin if needed. Stand your couch cushions on end. Turn down spread and blankets. Stand pillow up on bed.

• Open closet doors (especially in bathrooms and bedrooms), drawers and cupboards. Place dryer sheets in drawers and cupboards.

• Put your lanai furniture inside the air-conditioned home.

• Turn off your hot and cold water. This should be done even if you are gone for a short time.

• Coat garbage disposal with vegetable oil and pour 2-3 tablespoon of oil in sink p-traps (including tubs and washing machines traps) close all drains.

• Put one cup of vinegar in dishwasher.

• Call City of Bradenton to turn off water. When you are going to return to Florida, try to have it turn on the closest to the first of the month otherwise you will be charged for the full month.