Preparing to go on vacation is an exciting time, but with so much to take care of before you leave, it’s easy to miss a task, which could have potentially serious consequences. Use the checklist below on the buildup to your holiday so that you can enjoy your trip safe in the knowledge that all the important stuff has been sorted out.
Cancel Regular Deliveries
If you have a newspaper, milk, etc., delivered, then it’s important to remember to cancel these things. Not only does this save waste while you’re away (and prevent the risk of you coming home to lots of bottles of spoiled milk), but it also means that you’re not advertising that you’re away on a two-week camping trip or month-long European vacation to potential burglars.
Arrange Pet Care
Some catteries and kennels get fully booked weeks in advance, so it’s a good idea to reserve places for your furry friends as soon as possible. You’ll need to ensure, too, that your pet is up to date with all their vaccinations, as well as being flead and wormed, before their stay. Contact your vet if you’re not sure of the vaccination status of your pet.
Water The Plants
Don’t forget to give your houseplants a good water before you leave, or ask a neighbor to come in to give your green babies a water if you’ll be away for longer than a few days or a week – depending on the type of plants you have.
Assess Your Home Security
Making sure that your home security system is up to par is vital before you leave for your vacation. If your system is outdated, then now could be the perfect time to upgrade and switch to a smart security system that you can access and monitor remotely, and that comes with a range of features. If you could do with some advice about the best home monitoring system to suit your particular needs, have a look at this article for the information you need, including the benefits of an integrated system and the cost you can expect to pay for various options.
Use your smart security system to set a rule to turn different lights on and off at various times of the day and evening to make it appear as if someone is at home; you may also want to leave a key with a neighbor – just in case.
Get The Bills Up To Date
Making sure that you’ve made all your regular outgoings before leaving can save you the stress and hassle of returning home to a pile of demands for money from utility companies, etc. – this is especially important if you’re going to be away for an extended period.
Contact Your Bank And Phone Provider
If your bank spots any unusual activity on your card or that it’s being used in another country, then an automatic stop could be applied in case the transactions are fraudulent. Prevent this eventuality from putting a dampener on your days out by getting in touch with your bank before you leave to let them know where you’re going and the dates of your vacation.
It’s also important to contact your cell phone carrier if you’re going abroad to make sure you don’t end up not being able to use your cell or paying expensive roaming charges to make calls home. The last thing you want is to be enjoying a camping trip in a beautiful location halfway across the world only to find that you can’t use your phone to check in on family back home.
Sort Out The Fridge And Bins
The day before you leave for your holiday, check the fridge and either use, freeze or dispose of food that won’t last until you return home.
Remember to empty all the bins in the house, too, to prevent coming home to any unpleasant smells, and take out the trash and recycling ready for collection.
Make Homecoming Easier
There are a few little things you can do before leaving for your trip that will make coming home a bit more pleasant. Leave a meal in the freezer for your first night back so that you don’t have to worry about preparing and cooking food when you’re tired from the journey. Putting clean sheets on the bed is a little job that can make a big difference, too.
If you have time, cleaning the house a day or two before your vacation is well worth doing so that you don’t return to lots of jobs needing attention.
Unplug Appliances
Don’t forget to turn down your heating and air conditioning before you leave – unless, of course, there are pets at home who will need it left on its regular settings. It’s also wise to unplug appliances that don’t need to stay permanently connected to the mains: the coffee machine, tv, microwave, and kettle are examples of these.
….And Enjoy!
And, of course, once you’ve worked through the above checklist and stepped out of the door on the way to vacation – relax, and enjoy!
