Leaving for Vacation? Don't Forget These Five Home Checks

After all the planning, packing, and counting down the days, the last thing anyone wants to think about before vacation is home maintenance. But taking a few minutes to prepare your house before you leave can help prevent unpleasant surprises when you return.

Over the years, we've seen homeowners come back from otherwise wonderful vacations to flooded basements, water damage, fallen tree limbs, and overflowing mailboxes advertising to everyone that no one was home. Fortunately, most of these problems can be avoided with a simple pre-vacation checklist.

Before you lock the door and head off to the beach, the mountains, or wherever your summer adventures take you, here are five things worth checking.

1. Turn Off Your Washing Machine Water Supply

This is one of the simplest steps you can take to prevent a potentially expensive disaster. Washing machine supply hoses are under constant pressure. Even newer hoses can fail unexpectedly, and when they do, they can release a surprising amount of water in a very short period of time.

Before leaving for an extended trip, shut off the hot and cold water valves behind the washing machine. It takes less than a minute and could save you from returning to damaged floors, drywall, and belongings. If your supply hoses are more than a few years old, consider upgrading to braided stainless steel versions for additional peace of mind.

2. Pause Deliveries and Ask a Neighbor to Keep an Eye Out

Nothing announces an empty house quite like a pile of newspapers, packages, and mail stacked on the front porch. If you'll be gone for several days, consider placing a temporary hold on your mail and pausing any regular deliveries. If that's not possible, ask a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member to collect packages and keep an eye on things while you're away. It's also helpful to leave emergency contact information with someone nearby in case an issue arises while you're gone.

3. Test Your Sump Pump

Summer thunderstorms can arrive quickly and dump a surprising amount of rain in a short period of time. If your home has a sump pump, take a few minutes to make sure it's working properly before you leave. One simple test is to slowly pour a bucket of water into the sump pit. The float should rise, the pump should activate, and the water should be discharged outside. If the pump doesn't respond, makes unusual noises, or struggles to remove water, it's worth addressing before your trip.

4. Put Your Lights on a Schedule

A dark house every night for a week can be an obvious sign that no one is home. Using timers or smart plugs to turn lights on and off during the evening can help create the appearance that the house is occupied. Focus on a few commonly used spaces such as a living room, kitchen, or front-facing room. If you have smart home technology, you can even vary the schedule remotely to make it look more natural.

5. Take a Walk Around the Yard

Before leaving, spend ten minutes walking the perimeter of your property. Look for dead tree limbs hanging over the house, driveway, vehicles, or power lines. Summer storms often bring strong winds, and weak branches can come down unexpectedly. While you're outside, secure patio umbrellas, outdoor furniture, and anything else that could become airborne during a storm. A quick inspection today may prevent damage while you're hundreds of miles away.

One More Thing: Don't Rush Out the Door

The hours before a vacation can feel hectic. There are bags to load, kids to wrangle, directions to double-check, and inevitably someone can't find their sunglasses. But before you pull out of the driveway, give yourself an extra fifteen minutes for a final walkthrough. Check windows, lock doors, verify appliances are off, and make sure these five items are covered.

A little preparation can provide a lot of peace of mind, allowing you to focus on what vacations are supposed to be about: relaxing, making memories, and enjoying time away.

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

New Year’s Resolutions for the Healthy Homeowner

Every January, we make promises to ourselves: move more, eat better, stress less. But what about the place where we spend most of our time: our home?

If you’re a homeowner who plans to stay put (and enjoy it), 2026 is the perfect year to treat your house like the long-term investment it is. A healthy home isn’t about flashy upgrades or chasing trends, but it is about safety, comfort, efficiency, and a little future-proofing. Here are nine resolutions that will quietly pay off all year long.

1. Upgrade the Air You Breathe

Indoor air quality has officially moved from “nice to have” to “non-negotiable.” Modern whole-house air purifiers, smart ventilation systems, and high-efficiency filters can significantly reduce dust, allergens, and airborne pollutants. If your HVAC system is more than 10–15 years old, this is the year to assess whether it’s working for you or just limping along.

2. Make Bathrooms Safer (and Smarter)

Bathrooms are one of the most common places for household injuries. Small updates like curbless showers, grab bars that don’t look institutional, slip-resistant flooring, and better lighting can make a big difference. Bonus: today’s designs look like luxury spa upgrades, not hospital rooms.

3. Test, Then Retest

Radon, carbon monoxide, and water quality are all non-issues until they are an emergency. Annual testing is simple, affordable, and often overlooked. If you haven’t tested your home in years (or ever), make this your baseline year and set a reminder going forward.

4. Declutter With a Purpose

This isn’t about minimalism or Marie Kondo guilt. It’s about safety and ease. Clear walkways, organized storage, and fewer “just in case” piles reduce fall risks and make daily life smoother. If you haven’t used it in five years, it probably doesn’t need to stay.

5. Invest in Smart but Simple Technology

Smart home tech has grown up. Today’s systems focus on security, energy efficiency, and peace of mind: smart thermostats, leak detectors, lighting on timers, and video doorbells. The key is choosing tech that works quietly in the background, not something that requires a manual and a tech support hotline.

6. Tackle Preventive Maintenance Early

Waiting until something breaks is stressful and expensive. A healthy home runs on prevention: roof inspections, gutter cleaning, foundation checks, and exterior maintenance before New England weather does its thing. Scheduling these early in the year can save money and sanity.

7. Improve Lighting Everywhere

Good lighting isn’t just aesthetic, it’s functional and protective, especially as we homeowners age. Layered lighting, brighter bulbs in stairways and hallways, and motion-sensor exterior lights all improve safety. As eyesight naturally changes, lighting upgrades are one of the most underrated improvements you can make.

8. Rethink Entryways and Exits

Your home should welcome you in and let you exit safely in all seasons. Consider railings, improved steps, better drainage, and ice-management solutions. Small upgrades here reduce slips, improve curb appeal, and make daily routines easier year-round.

9. Plan for Aging in Place (Before You Need To)

The smartest homeowners plan ahead. Even if you feel great now, thinking about future mobility, access, and maintenance needs allows you to make thoughtful upgrades instead of rushed decisions later. A home that adapts with you is a home you can enjoy longer.

A healthy home doesn’t need to be perfect but it does need to support the life you want to live. In 2026, resolve to make your house safer, smarter, and more comfortable. Your future self will thank you… probably while enjoying lower energy bills and fewer emergency repair calls.

If you want help prioritizing which improvements make the most sense for your home, that’s where experienced professionals (and honest advice) come in. Because the best resolutions are the ones you actually keep.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Smart Home Upgrades for Seniors and Older Adults

As we age, maintaining independence and comfort within our homes becomes increasingly important. Smart home technology has emerged as a transformative solution, offering a range of upgrades that cater specifically to the needs of seniors and older adults. These innovations not only enhance convenience but also contribute to safety, health, and overall well-being. Let’s explore some smart home upgrades that can turn any residence into a safe haven for seniors.

Smart Lighting Systems

Smart lighting systems are an excellent way to enhance visibility within the home. They can be programmed to adjust brightness levels based on the time of day, providing optimal lighting conditions for different activities. Motion sensors can automatically turn lights on and off, minimizing the risk of accidents, especially during nighttime navigation. Voice-activated controls, such as those integrated with virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, make it easy for seniors to manage lighting without getting up.

Smart Thermostats

Maintaining a comfortable temperature is crucial for seniors, especially those with mobility challenges. Smart thermostats enable remote temperature control through smartphones or voice commands. Additionally, they can learn the occupants' preferences over time and adjust the temperature accordingly. This not only enhances comfort but can also contribute to energy savings, providing a win-win solution for seniors looking to manage their living expenses.

Home Security Systems with Monitoring

Safety is a top priority for seniors, and smart home security systems offer advanced features for peace of mind. Video doorbells, indoor cameras, and smart locks allow seniors to monitor their homes remotely. Some systems even include emergency response services that can be activated through voice commands or a simple button press, ensuring quick assistance in case of an emergency.

Smart Flooring and Fall Detection Systems

Preventing falls is a critical concern for seniors. Smart flooring systems equipped with sensors can detect unusual movements or a potential fall, triggering automatic alerts to caregivers or emergency services. Fall detection wearables, integrated with smart home systems, provide an additional layer of safety by continuously monitoring the user's movements and detecting sudden falls.

Smart home upgrades tailored for seniors go beyond mere convenience; they empower older adults to age in place comfortably and safely. By integrating these technologies, seniors can maintain their independence, reduce the burden on caregivers, and enjoy a higher quality of life. As the world of smart home technology continues to evolve, the possibilities for creating age-friendly living spaces are limitless, offering a brighter and more secure future for seniors.

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.