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Planning a vacation is exciting, but the lead-up can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. From managing mail delivery to ensuring home security, there are several steps you can take to make your time away more relaxing. Let\u2019s dive into some practical tips to help you prepare before your next getaway.<\/p>\n
CLICK TO GET KURT\u2019S FREE CYBERGUY NEWSLETTER WITH SECURITY ALERTS, QUICK VIDEO TIPS, TECH REVIEWS AND EASY HOW-TO\u2019S TO MAKE YOU SMARTER<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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A woman carrying packages<\/span> (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nTip #1: Set up a vacation hold with the USPS<\/strong><\/h2>\nYou can easily set up a vacation hold with the USPS, allowing them to hold onto your mail at the post office while you’re out of town. You can request one online directly from USPS<\/u>, and you can even see photos of your mail in your email before it arrives with USPS\u2019 Informed Delivery<\/u>.<\/p>\n\n
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A person uses the USPS app.<\/span> (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nTip #2: Set up a Wi-Fi thermostat<\/strong><\/h2>\nIf, like me, you live somewhere where the temperatures shift greatly depending on the time of the day, a smart thermostat<\/u> can make your life easier at home and when you’re away from home. A Wi-Fi thermostat will allow you to keep your house warmer or cooler hours before you return from vacation. They also allow you to prepare for inclement weather events that might occur back home while traveling, such as heat waves or deep freezes.<\/p>\n
Wi-Fi thermostats are cheaper than smart thermostats<\/u> and only cool or heat the room based on your prompts. A smart thermostat can track your temperature settings and automatically adjust them for efficiency. If you need something for when you travel, a Wi-Fi thermostat is the more budget-conscious way to go.<\/p>\n\n
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A Wi-Fi thermostat<\/span> (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nMORE: ANOTHER HOME THERMOSTAT FOUND VULNERABLE TO ATTACK<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\nTip #3: Setup security cameras outside your home<\/strong><\/h2>\nIf you enjoy having the peace of mind that your property is safe while you’re gone, look into putting up security cameras around the entrances and exits of your home. We have a list of our top picks to amp up your home security here<\/u>.<\/p>\n\n
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A doorbell camera<\/span> (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nMORE: 5 BEST LIGHT BULB SECURITY CAMERAS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\nTip #4: Sign up for delivery services for groceries<\/strong><\/h2>\nA wide variety of grocery delivery apps<\/u> are available to download for those moments when you need groceries promptly \u2014 whether it\u2019s after returning from vacation or during a trip. Nearly any grocery delivery app allows you to customize your order, including the date and time of drop-off.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Often less expensive than resort food options, ordering groceries on vacation could save you money.\u00a0Also, returning home to an empty fridge after an extended amount of time away? Online ordering ensures you will have groceries to make dinner with right when you get home from vacation.<\/p>\n
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Groceries delivered at a person\u2019s front door<\/span> (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nMORE: BEST TRAVEL GEAR FOR 2024<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\nTip #5: Set up a security camera inside your home<\/strong><\/h2>\nSetting up a security camera inside your home allows you to monitor activity and provides peace of mind. If you have pets at home, you can use it to check in on them while you’re away. Leaving them in the care of others can be stressful, and a camera allows you to ensure their well-being. I often travel with an inexpensive camera to watch my vacation rental when away from home. And about the only time I feel comfortable using a camera inside my home is while I\u2019m away.\u00a0It\u2019s promptly relocated away from the interior once I return as I\u2019m not a fan of using inside cameras while I\u2019m at home.<\/p>\n
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A home security camera<\/span> (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nTip #6: Create an auto-reply for email in Gmail<\/strong><\/h2>\nIf you handle your emails through Gmail, you can set an out-of-office response to all emails you receive. This will let anyone emailing you know you have received the message but cannot respond. As a tech journalist, I need to stay in communication with everyone, and auto-reply makes this easy. Here’s how to set up a vacation response in Gmail.<\/p>\n
Gmail<\/strong><\/h3>\n\nOpen Gmail<\/strong><\/li>\nIn the top right, click on Settings<\/strong><\/li>\nClick See all settings<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
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Steps to create an auto-reply for email in Gmail<\/span> (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nScroll down to Vacation responder <\/strong>and turn it on<\/li>\nFill in the date ranges<\/strong>, subject<\/strong> and the auto-reply message<\/strong><\/li>\nAt the bottom of the page, click Save changes<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
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Steps to create an auto-reply for email in Gmail<\/span> (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nYahoo Mail<\/strong><\/h3>\n\nLog in to your Yahoo Mail<\/strong> account<\/li>\nClick on the gear icon<\/strong> (Settings) in the upper-right corner<\/li>\nChoose More Settings<\/strong><\/li>\nOn the left, select Vacation Response<\/strong><\/li>\nToggle on<\/strong> the switch next to Turn on Vacation Response<\/strong><\/li>\nUnderneath where it says, “Show vacation response during these dates,” specify the start and end dates<\/strong> for your vacation response<\/li>\nEnter your custom message<\/strong> to let contacts know you\u2019re away<\/li>\nClick Save<\/strong> to activate the vacation response<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nOutlook<\/strong><\/h3>\nThese Outlook instructions are based on the January 2024 update for Microsoft 365 subscribers. If you encounter any differences, make sure to check for any further updates or specific settings.<\/i><\/p>\n\nOpen Outlook<\/strong><\/li>\nClick on File<\/strong> in the top-left corner<\/li>\nSelect Automatic Replies<\/strong><\/li>\nCheck the Send automatic replies<\/strong> box<\/li>\nSet the date range <\/strong>for your vacation response<\/li>\nCraft your out-of-office message<\/strong><\/li>\nClick OK<\/strong> to enable the auto-reply<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nAOL Mail<\/strong><\/h3>\n\nLog in to your AOL Mail <\/strong>account<\/li>\nClick on Options<\/strong> (gear icon) in the upper-right corner<\/li>\nChoose More Settings<\/strong><\/li>\nClick Vacation Response<\/strong><\/li>\nToggle on<\/strong> the Turn on vacation response<\/strong> switch<\/li>\nSelect the dates <\/strong>for your response<\/li>\nEnter your customized vacation message<\/strong><\/li>\nClick Save <\/strong>to activate the vacation response<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nMORE: BEST TRAVEL ADAPTERS OF 2024<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\nBonus tip: Make your home look lived-in<\/strong><\/h2>\nWhile security cameras and holding your mail are great deterrents, there are other ways to make your home look occupied while you’re away. Here are a few ideas:<\/p>\n
\nLights on a timer:<\/strong> Set timers for some lights with smart bulbs<\/u> in your house to turn on and off in the evening, mimicking your typical routine.<\/li>\nCar in the driveway:<\/strong> If you have a neighbor you trust, ask them to occasionally park your car in the driveway to make it seem like someone is home.<\/li>\nRadio on low volume:<\/strong> Playing music or talk radio softly can create the illusion that someone is inside.<\/li>\nPause deliveries: <\/strong>If you have any non-essential deliveries scheduled for your vacation time beyond what we discussed earlier with USPS, consider pausing them to avoid piling up boxes outside your door.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nBy following these tips, you can create the illusion of occupancy and deter potential burglars.<\/p>\n
Kurt’s key takeaways<\/strong><\/h2>\nVacations are a great way to get away from work, unwind and spend quality time with friends and family. However, they can also be a headache if you come home to a stack of overflowing mail and emails and a house that is too hot or too cold. These six tips I use anytime I go on vacation give me greater peace of mind and help keep everything organized when I get home. Auto-reply emails, in particular, have saved me a lot of stress.<\/p>\n
Security concerns can vary depending on location. Have you ever had a close call or learned a valuable lesson related to home security while traveling? Let us know by writing us at <\/strong>Cyberguy.com\/Contact<\/u><\/strong>.<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n For more of my tech tips & security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com\/Newsletter<\/u><\/strong>.<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover<\/u>.<\/u><\/p>\n
Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:<\/p>\n
Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com.\u00a0All rights reserved.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n[ad_2]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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