It's officially winter, which is enough to make some people travel more than 1,000 miles to Florida.

While enjoying the sun, most people don't want to worry about the home they are leaving behind to battle through a Western Pennsylvania winter, so there are many tips to protect a home and possessions while away.

One of the most important things is to make sure the home does not look unoccupied.

Julie Sebock, owner and Realtor from Clear Choice Enterprises, said it's important to have proper lighting both inside and outside the home.

She suggested putting different timers on lights and lamps so passers-by will think someone is home.

She also suggested having a company decorate the house for the holiday season and hiring a snow-removal service to keep sideways and driveways clean.

“If you let the snow stay in the driveway it does scream 'I'm out of town,'” Sebock said.

Ron West of Ron West Agency said snow should also be removed for safety purposes.

“They may have a liability if someone may fall on the sidewalk,” West said.

Neighbors can also be a big help by checking on the house.

“If you have a friend or family who can check on the house that's good, a security system would be even better,” West said.

Gary Straub of Northwood Realty said the most important thing to remember if leaving a home for the winter is to turn off the water.

He said it's easy for pipes to freeze if the furnace turns off or the power shuts off.

If the water is off and the pipes freeze or burst, then the house won't flood while it's unoccupied because the water is already off.

“If you were going to go for an extended period of time, it might not be a bad idea to have the house winterized,” said Straub.

Straub said winterizing a home involves professional plumbers “draining a plumbing system and putting antifreeze in the system so the pipes can't freeze.”

It is also important not to advertise that the home will be unoccupied.

“Don't tell any more people then is necessary that you're not going to be home for an extended period of time,” West said.

If no one will be living in the house, West said “it might be a good idea to take valuables such as jewelry and place them in someone else's home.”

Snowbirds also have the option on renting the home or having a house sitter. However, both come with risks.

“If (the homeowners) have someone they are familiar with, who they know would want to house sit for them is one thing, but to rent the house out, I don't see it as a good idea,” West said.

Straub agrees with West that a friend or family staying in the house is OK.

“I've never a big fan of the short-term lease,” Straub said. “There is potential for lease, but if you don't need the money, you are probably better off to leave the house unoccupied.”

Sebock, however, has seen an increase in the need for short-term leasing in the area with the influx of Marcellus Shale personnel.

“Some people offer a turn key option where they can just remove their personal clothing, jewelry and (the renters) can use the furniture to live in it as is,” Sebock said. “Or you will have to talk to a moving company to get your belongs out temporarily and stored.”

Clear Choice Enterprises helps homeowners manage their property while they are away by checking on the house and renter, as well as doing any repairs.

Sebock stressed just renting to anyone without doing a full check is not a good choice.

“I think the biggest thing is you fully screen the situation, the tenant,” Sebock said. “You have enough money down, you pull the credit, you do the application, then it's not bad.”