Georgetown officials said there are several steps residents can take to make their homes more efficient and safe during the summer season.

Crime prevention

  1. Letting mail or newspapers pile up when out of town makes it obvious that no one is home. Stopping mail or daily newspaper delivery or having a neighbor pick them up can help deter intruders.
  2. Keeping valuables out of plain sight and hidden can cut down on the risk of burglary.
  3. Installing motion-detector lights or setting lights on timers that turn lights on and off throughout the night can help deter intruders.
  4. Keeping bushes neat and trimmed makes it harder for thieves to hide in them.

Conservation/Recycling

  1. Deep and infrequent watering is best for landscaping, and the city recommends residents water twice a week for best results.
  2. Georgetown Utility Services offers free in-person audits on irrigation systems for residential customers. The audit ensures system are running efficiently and without issue. Questions about setting up controllers are also covered. https://gus.georgetown.org/water/irrigation-audit-request or 512-930-3640
  3. Residents can more effectively cut down on waste by placing recycling bins in every area of their home that has a trash can. To learn more about Georgetown’s trash, recycling and composting standards, visit https://recycle.georgetown.org.
  4. Switching to LED lighting could help save $10-$15 annually on utility bills.
  5. Dell Inc. and Goodwill Industries have partnered to recycle computers. Any brand in any condition will be accepted at all Goodwill locations.
  6. Checking to see that sprinkler heads are intact and working can be done via visual inspection. Monitoring this every 30-60 days throughout the growing season is recommended. Turning off sprinkler systems between October and May can also cut down on expenses.

Fire safety

  1. Grass and shrubbery should be kept short and neat to help prevent the spread of wildfires.
  2. Smoke detectors expire every 10 years and need to be monitored regularly. The Georgetown Fire Department recommends checking smoke detector batteries every month and changing them at least once a year.
  3. To help prevent fires, keep paint in a sealed container and out of the way in the garage.