If you're one of the many seasonal residents who spend winters enjoying the sunshine in Southwest Florida and summers up north, you're not alone. Every spring, thousands of snowbirds close up their homes in Naples, Estero, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, and surrounding communities before heading back north.
But Florida's summer heat, humidity, tropical storms, and heavy rains can quickly turn a small issue into a costly disaster when no one is around to catch it.
The good news? With a little preparation—and a trusted home watch company—you can leave with confidence and return to the same beautiful home you left behind.
Your Southwest Florida Summer Home Checklist
1. Never Turn Off Your Air Conditioner
This is the number one piece of advice longtime Florida residents agree on.
Florida humidity can cause mold and mildew in a matter of days if your home isn't properly climate controlled.
Instead:
Set your thermostat between 76° and 79°F
Replace your HVAC filter before leaving
Consider installing a smart thermostat so you can monitor your home's temperature remotely
Have your A/C serviced before hurricane season begins
Your air conditioner isn't just cooling your home—it's removing moisture from the air.
2. Shut Off Your Main Water Supply
Water leaks are one of the biggest causes of damage in vacant homes.
Before leaving:
Turn off the main water supply
Shut off your water heater (at the breaker if electric)
Turn off the ice maker
Consider shutting off breakers to unnecessary appliances
A tiny leak under a sink can become thousands of dollars in repairs if it goes unnoticed for weeks.
3. Reduce Moisture Throughout the House
Even with the A/C running, extra moisture protection is smart.
Many seasonal homeowners:
Place moisture absorbers such as DampRid in closets and bathrooms
Leave closet doors and cabinet doors slightly open for airflow
Leave dresser drawers cracked open
Pour vinegar into the A/C condensate drain line to help discourage algae buildup
Good air circulation helps prevent musty odors and mildew.
4. Protect Your Plumbing
Standing water can evaporate over several months.
Helpful tips include:
Add a small amount of bleach to toilet bowls
Cover toilet bowls with plastic wrap to slow evaporation
Close sink and shower drains
Some homeowners also pour a small amount of mineral or cooking oil into infrequently used drains to reduce evaporation
5. Empty Perishable Foods
Before leaving:
Remove food that could spoil
Turn off the ice maker
Leave an open box of baking soda in the refrigerator
If leaving the refrigerator running, keep several jugs of water inside to help maintain temperature
Some homeowners also freeze a cup of water and place a coin on top of the ice. If the coin has sunk when you return, you'll know the freezer lost power long enough for the contents to thaw.
6. Prepare for Hurricane Season
If you're leaving between May and November:
Bring patio furniture inside
Secure outdoor décor
Close hurricane shutters if appropriate
Trim landscaping
Remove loose items that could become projectiles during storms
7. Unplug Electronics
Reduce the risk of electrical damage by unplugging:
TVs
Small kitchen appliances
Lamps
Computers
Chargers
Leave only essential systems powered.
8. Forward Your Mail
Don't let newspapers or overflowing mail advertise that your home is vacant.
Forward your mail
Pause newspaper delivery
Notify your HOA how to reach you in an emergency
9. Install Smart Home Monitoring
Technology makes long-distance homeownership much easier.
Consider adding:
Smart thermostat
Doorbell camera
Interior cameras
Water leak sensors
Smart smoke detectors
These devices provide alerts—but they can't fix problems.
The Most Important Step: Have Someone Check Your Home Regularly
Technology is helpful, but nothing replaces a trained set of eyes.
Air conditioners fail.
Water heaters leak.
Storm damage happens.
Pests find a way inside.
Power outages occur.
A professional home watch visit catches these issues early—before they become major repairs.
Many experienced Southwest Florida homeowners recommend having someone physically inspect the property every one to two weeks during the summer.
What Does a Professional Home Watch Company Do?
A professional home watch service doesn't simply drive by your house.
They perform visual inspections that may include:
Checking for water leaks
Monitoring A/C operation and humidity
Looking for signs of mold or mildew
Inspecting windows and doors
Checking appliances
Flushing toilets and running faucets
Looking for pest activity
Inspecting after storms
Bringing in packages or mail if requested
Providing detailed reports with photos
The goal is simple:
Catch small problems before they become expensive ones.
Why Southwest Florida Homeowners Trust Blue Water Home Watch Services
At Blue Water Home Watch Services, we understand that your Florida home is more than just a house—it's your investment, your getaway, and often the place where your family makes lifelong memories.
Whether your home is in Estero, Bonita Springs, Naples, or nearby communities, we provide dependable home watch services designed to give you complete peace of mind while you're away.
Our professional inspections help identify problems early so you can avoid costly surprises when you return.
We also offer concierge services including:
Storm preparation checks
Post-storm inspections
Plant care (watering, pruning, orchid mounting)
Moving lanai furniture
Contractor access
Art and decor hanging
Shipping forgotten items
And more
When you head north for the summer, you shouldn't have to worry about what's happening back home.
We'll care for your home as if it were our own.
Ready to Leave with Confidence?
If you're preparing to head north for the summer, now is the perfect time to schedule your home watch service.
Contact Blue Water Home Watch Services today to learn how we can help protect your Southwest Florida home while you're away.
Safe travels—and we'll keep an eye on things until you return.
Hurricane season is quickly approaching, so now is the time to start getting prepared. In this post, I will be sharing our favorite hurricane supplies that we were so thankful to have during Hurricane Ian and Milton.
Be sure to read to the end, as the last suggestion is one of the most important!
It is a work-in-progress, so as I find more great things to have on hand, I'll be adding them to this article. Also, if you have hurricane must-have's, please let me know, and we'll check them out!
(This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)
1. Portable Generator
This is our #1 top recommendation for hurricane preparedness! This Westinghouse portable generator was a life-saver for us and our extended family during Hurricane Ian. We were without power for 5 days, and without internet or cell service for most of that time, and had 16 family members taking refuge in our home.
We were very happy to have a dependable generator that could keep the fridge and freezer cold, and that we could turn on when we wanted water for showers or coffee. We used it sparingly, however, as fuel was scarce and hard to come by. We used the propane we had, then went to gasoline.We were so grateful for it, that my husband did this video review and demonstration on how to use it:
Generator Cord
Be sure you have a heavy-duty cord to use with your generator. Here is the one we used in the video above:
2. Portable Solar Power Bank Generator
A solar power bank like this one by Allpowers is awesome. This is our newest addition to our emergency preparedness stash. Unlike the Westinghouse generator above, this one powers by electricity or through solar panels. Since there is no propane or gas to mess with, you can safely use this indoors. Of course, it does not have the power that the Westinghouse does, so this is more for smaller jobs for shorter periods of time.But it is compact, lightweight, and can be used in a pinch, during any power outage, without having to bring out the big guns.
3. Hand Crank Emergency Radio
During Hurricane Ian, our only link to the outside world, and what was going on with the location of the hurricane and other news, was our cheap emergency hand crank radio that I had bought years ago to have "in case." We had never needed it until then, and boy, were we glad we had it!
4. Glass Water Dispensers
Before the hurricane arrives, gather lots of water in jugs, containers and your bathtub. Then get some glass water dispensers to have by your kitchen and bathroom sinks for washing hands and brushing teeth. As our well pump needed electricity to work. these were so handy to have!
And look what I have since found on Amazon...water dispensers with LED lights powered by batteries or a power bank so you can actually SEE to wash your hands or brush your teeth in the dark! Brilliant!
5. Road Atlas or Paper Map of your Local Area
During the hurricane, we got out our map of southwest Florida, and took turns cranking our emergency radio to be able to follow the path of the hurricane. Everyone should have a paper map! Even better would be a road atlas, in case you need to evacuate. Who knows where you might have to travel to, in order to avoid the path of the storm.
6. Solar Charger Power Bank
These are great to have one for each member of the family. A portable solar power bank for charging your cell phone. It also has a flashlight feature.
Check the expiration dates on your batteries and be sure to stock up on fresh new ones in all sizes, so you are never without the power you need for your flashlights, radios, and other battery-powered devices. Duracell 28-ct AAA
Wireless rechargeable wall sconces are a must! We used similar ones when we lost power during Hurricane Milton, and they were a game-changer! They were centrally located in our great room, so they lit up the family room, dining, and kitchen area like a charm! We could all just sit, relax, and have conversation while the hurricane was raging outside!
9. First Aid Kit
It goes without saying that you should always have a well-stocked first aid kit on hand!As we found through our experience with Hurricane Ian, emergency services were either not taking any calls, or not dispatching any help. So being prepared to take care of any accidents or health issues on your own is an absolute MUST. This would also include always having a good supply of your current prescription drugs always on hand.
10. Emergency Food
Having an emergency supply of food is always a great idea. Valley Food Storage has premium, high-quality, non-GMO food with only ingredients you can pronounce. It also lasts for 25 years, which should get you through quite a few hurricanes!
I love this super-bright camping lantern by AYL. So great to have on hand for power outages, hurricanes, and emergency kits!I especially love that AYL is a small, family-owned business that you can feel good about supporting!
Hurricane Milton Update: This was so handy to have when we lost power during Hurricane Milton! I could just carry it from room to room for light!
13. Disinfecting Wipes
Disinfecting wipes are a must-have, especially when you don't have water. During Hurricane Milton, I put one of these in the kitchen, and in each of the bathrooms.
We used a lot of towels and rags on the window panes and on the floor under the windows during Ian, as the hard, blowing rain would go right through the cracks under the windows.
Thanks to Coastal Conservatory reader Becky, for the following 5 suggestions!
18. A List of Important Phone Numbers
Make a written paper list of important phone numbers in case your phone doesn't work. This would include friends' and family and other emergency contacts.(Thanks to reader Becky for this idea!)
19. Tarps
You will be glad you have tarps on hand if your roof starts leaking.
20. Buckets
Buckets were also indispensable to us during Hurricane Ian, as not only were they good for leaks as well, but for flushing our toilets. Without electricity, we had no running water, so we'd keep a bucket of water from the pool in each bathroom to be able to flush. Large plastic Tupperware bowls and pitchers worked well, too.
A full tank of gas is essential in case you need to evacuate, but extra gas is also important in the days and weeks following, if your area is greatly affected by the storm. Gas is scarce during and after hurricanes. Gas stations may be closed, out of gas, or have very long lines.
23. Prescriptions Rx's
Be sure you have refills of all needed medications in case you are not able to get to a pharmacy for a few weeks.
24. Diapers, Wipes & Baby Formula
If you have a baby or toddler in the house, be sure you have enough baby supplies to hold you for a while.
25. Clothesline & Clothespins
After Ian, we got clothespins and strung up a huge clothesline between two trees to dry our hand-washed clothing and wet towels from the rain that had gotten inside. Very handy!
Fill gallon size Ziploc freezer bags with water and place in your freezer. They will help keep the food cold longer if you lose power. When they melt, you have good drinking water.(Thanks to my friend Michele R. for this tip!)You can also use extra Tupperware containers you have laying around. I scoured the house for all I could find, filled them with water, and put in the freezer. It also helps to make a lot of ice in the days leading up to a hurricane. Just keep filling Ziploc bags with ice to have on hand when you need some cold water when the power is out!
27. Cash
After the hurricane, many of the restaurants and stores that reopened were unable to process credit cards, so were "cash-only," even essential stores like Home Depot, so definitely have cash on hand!
