When you’re away from home you should not leave your house empty. Why? If I have to tell you, well … start reading the introduction to this book, and when you get back to this page maybe you’ll know why.
So it’s very worthwhile to have someone stay in your house if you intend to travel for any length of time. If you don’t know of anyone, go searching the internet for accredited house exchange organisations like Couchsurfing.
If you’re not into having someone stay in your house, at least do the following when you’re out of town. Have someone pick up your mail. Put your lights and TV on timers. Have someone put garbage in front of your house on the day the garbage man comes (even if it’s their garbage). Make your house looked lived in, even when it’s not.