University of Florida IFAS family & consumer sciences extension agent, Julie B. England’s, session at the Lady Lake Library on Monday afternoon could not have been more timely for a large segment of central Florida’s population.
Entitled “Closing your Seasonal Home,” England’s presentation was invaluable for first time seasonal residents, and also provided new tips and reminders for Villagers and others who have been snowbirds for several seasons. Her topics included security and cleanliness.
First was to check insurance policies, including any recent riders, to be sure of what they cover. Since sinkholes are a Florida issue, we should know the extent of sinkhole coverage we have, if any. England stressed the importance of having an updated household inventory, in case of crime or damage to our homes. While making a written list of belongings is helpful, photos or videos of furniture, appliances, closet interiors and other possessions are much better.
On that same subject, she recommended having a similar inventory of our other homes’ and storage facility contents as well, kept in a safe, safety deposit box or on a CD or zip drive.
The question to keep in mind is “what would it cost to replace our stuff?”
Jewelry and antiques need to be appraised, photographed and covered separately — so that we can prove, for example, that stones are diamonds and not cubic zirconia. Copies of receipts for major purchases should also routinely be stapled to instruction manuals and kept in secure places — because many original receipts use thermal inks which fade.
Sharing contact information with trusted neighbors is important while away — in case of severe weather, fire, illness or other unfortunate circumstance. We need to keep all our important paperwork where we can find it, but not easily acceptable for intruders. Important computer files should be backed up and stored — away from prying eyes — and also in case of computer hardware destruction.
Especially in Florida, pests and water can be our enemies. We need to clean all surfaces, including appliances — inside and out. We need to fix leaky faucets; cover and seal toilet bowls and tanks securely, and check windows and roofs for leaks. Kitchen appliances should be clean and waxed, with doors left ajar where possible. Water heater temperatures can be lowered or turned off.
All mildew is mold,” England said, “but not all mold is mildew.” The goal is to eliminate as many sources of moisture in the home as possible — including live plants. To prevent mold and mildew, interior air temperature must be maintained no higher than 80-85 degrees. Moving wood and upholstered furniture an inch or more away from outside walls allows air circulation to prevent mold from taking hold.
Mildew is a living organism, which is airborne and produces spores. Dirt and dampness contribute to mildew, as does darkness and stagnant air. Once growing, it is very hard to remove. It grows more readily on leather shoes and natural fiber clothing than synthetics — but all clothing should be stored clean and up off the floor, with air circulation and not wrapped in plastic.
“Seasonal moving is a great time to de-clutter your home and donate items you don’t want or won’t need,” England said, “and if you wish to cover furniture, use fabric sheets rather than plastic. Bedding should be removed and stored, with a loose sheet spread across beds.”
Solutions made with rubbing alcohol, chlorine bleach or baking soda, can be used to remove mold and mildew, and chemical inhibitors, like sodium hypochlorite (Tilex, X-14)Â are available. ”
Always remember to read package directions for these products, and don’t combine bleach with ammonia,” she warned. Mothballs generate toxic gas, so she doesn’t recommend using them, but desiccants like silica gel and Damp-Rid can work short term in small, tightly closed spaces.
Choosing mildew-resistant paints and fabric sealers like Scotch Guard are good long-term protection. Dehumidifiers are not widely used in Florida, because they must be emptied often, and electricity is often turned off when snowbirds fly the coup. If you use one, be sure it drains to a tub or other outside outlet. Most air conditioners help remove excess humidity from home interiors, and humidistats, which turn air conditioning on when humidity rises, are found in some homes. England suggested adding vinegar or bleach to air conditioner pipes according to manufacturers’ recommendations.
Paring down food inventory during the weeks before our planned departure is a smart practice, and we should discard cereals, pasta, bread plus fresh or perishable foods —Â which will spoil or ‘sprout’ weevils. We shouldn’t forget to unplug most appliances and use stoppers in our drains. The dishwasher filter and door seal should be cleaned, and the door left unlatched so pressure doesn’t build up inside.
All interior water sources should be turned off prior to leaving, including the water source to the washing machine. Exterior features, like swimming pools, shrubbery, lawns and pest control should be maintained — and additional measures, like secure locks,  should be taken for security considerations. Using timers for lights and stopping deliveries help make a home lived-in.
England concluded her program by urging seasonal residents not to wait until the last minute to prepare their homes. Starting about three weeks before planned departure, and using lists as reminders, is a good course to follow. Leaving a well maintained, well secured home will provide peace of mind while you are away, and assure you will return to a trouble-free home.
www.extension.org/11274/household-inventory and www.knowyourstuff.org
