Since we're talking about unplugging things for safety: We always shut the water off at the curb when we're going to be away for more than 24 hours. A frozen or leaking water pipe, or refrigerator cold water hose, or clothes dryer connection, can wreak incredible havoc on a home in a short time. We bought our home in AZ in 9/04. When we came out to it the first time three months later, we opened the front door and water poured out. Turned out that a cold spell had frozen a pipe to the hot water heater, resulting in 174,000 gallons of water into our home. Had to vacate it until the following March, when repairs were finished.