By Rusty Bradshaw
Independent Newsmedia

It is estimated that up to 40 percent of Sun City residents are winter visitors, leaving the community during the hot summer months for the cooler climates in their other homes.

Residents who leave for the summer can have their home checked periodically by the Sun City Posse. The agency’s Vacation Watch program provides for a Posse patrol on a regular basis to check their home to make sure it is secure and nothing is disturbed, according to Mary Heiser, Posse commander.

Residents interested in this program must register with the Posse at the headquarters, 10862 W. Sunland Drive. Vacation Watch forms are also available at the Sun City Home Owners Association office, 10401 W. Coggins Drive. Residents must fill out a Vacation Watch card including their name, phone number, address and an emergency contact, and turn it in at least 10 days prior to their departure, according to Ms. Heiser.

While that service is available, Sun City Home Owners Association officials also offer several tips to preparing to be away from a Sun City home for extended periods of time.

Shutting off the water to the home is one of the first items residents should attend to, according to Carole Studdard, SCHOA executive director. Must homes have two shut-off valves — one for the house supply and another for the yard sprinkler system.

“Do not shut off the water supply to the outside shrubbery and the sprinkler system,” Ms. Studdard stated in an email. “Adjust the sprinkler system watering time to 50 percent more to compensate for the evaporation during the long hot days of summer.”

If the home does have two shut-off valves, do not shut off the water or there will be no water to the shrubbery, Ms. Studdard explained. For homes with two shut-off valves, turn off the individual supply valves to the hot water tank, including turning off the heat source; refrigerator/ice maker; washing machine; and all sinks and toilet bowl tanks.



“Consider hiring a yard maintenance company to keep your home from becoming overgrown while you are away,” Ms. Studdard stated. “This will allow the home to look lived in; SCHOA has approved yard care business partners.”

Homes that become overgrown during the summer could be subject to SCHOA’s Community Intervention Program, in which SCHOA, utilizing business partner companies, will perform maintenance on the property and put a lien on the property to recover the cost.

There are also steps to take inside the home. Ms. Studdard said it is suggested to pour eight ounces of radiator anti-freeze liquid in the toilet water bowl, drain all sinks, bath tubs and showers to minimize evaporating of standing water in sanitary traps.

“The drains can be sealed with plastic wrap and taped to prevent evaporation as well as preventing roaches from entering from the drains,” Ms. Studdard stated. “There is a non-toxic anti-freeze available.”

Residents who operate their air conditioners while they are away should trip the circuit breaker to the heat pump. Homes that have an evaporative cooler and a heat pump, which use the same ducts in the home, should have the baffle connecting the cooler into the air supply ducts closed.

“If the baffle is left open, a loss of refrigerated air will be lost from the system,” Ms. Studdard stated. “If you are unsure how to do this, contact a reliable HVAC company to assist you.”

Residents should also unplug all appliances, including lamps, TVs, stereos, radios, computers, etc., because they could be damaged if there is a power surge.

All food should be removed from refrigerators and freezers, and doors to these appliances should be left open for ventilation, according to Ms. Studdard. SCHOA officials also suggest connecting electrical timers to a few outlets and plug in a table lamp. Timers should be set for 4-6 hours beginning at sunset. Place a lock on the electric box for security.

“Consider a motion detecting device or dusk-to-dawn lights for the exterior of the residence,” Ms. Studdard stated.

Landline telephone providers may also offer vacation rates. Residents are urged to turn the ringer on the phone to low so the ring will not be heard from the outside.

Many times thieves know what homes to target by the collection of newspapers in the driveway or mail piled up. SCHOA officials suggest stopping delivery of all newspapers, and either have the Post Office stop mail delivery or forward it to the summer address.

Residents can get an extra source of protection by signing up for the Posse’s Vacation Watch program. Posse volunteers pick up accumulated items at a home, including door hangers left by solicitors.

“SCHOA has qualified house watch business partners who are able to assist you while you are away,” Ms. Studdard stated.

SCHOA officials suggest leaving personal contact information with a neighbor as well as a key and contact information in case of an emergency, including the air-conditioner and sprinkler-system companies that service the home. Residents should also ask a neighbor to pick up any circulars/papers that may be placed in your driveway or on a front door.

“If you have an alarm system, notify them (company contacts) that you will be away,” Ms. Studdard stated. “Leave all window coverings in an open position.”

Just in case, residents should have a detailed inventory of personal possessions with pictures, if possible, according to Ms. Studdard. This should include date of purchase, value and serial numbers. Residents should have a copy with them, as well as placing a copy in a safe deposit box, Ms. Studdard stated.

“Do not place keys under flower pots, door mats or locked mail boxes, and unplug garage door openers,” she added.

SCHOA officials also suggest placing insect traps near outside door openings to trap ground bugs and crickets, and place mouse bait in the garage.

“Mice can find their way into electrical/pipe inlets,” Ms. Studdard stated.

SCHOA members are able to access qualified business partners’ information on the HOA’s website, www.suncityhoa.org, or call 623-974-4718.

Any unusual activity should be reported to the Posse at 623-972-2555 or Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office at 602-876-1011.