What to do before leaving home for a long holiday?

Guys, leaving home to go on holiday is exciting! We love to travel but we had to stop due to the pandemic. We have been missing it a lot, but finally, we will travel again!! And from the moment we took the decision (get to know packandgo.info here), we have been imagining ourselves in those great landscapes, having fun, trying exotic and delicious food, getting the best pictures…

But ok, we have to stop dreaming for planning everything! And planning involves not only the transportation, accommodation, and stuff we will need while traveling, but also everything we leave behind. So what to do before leaving home for a long holiday? Well, it does not matter if you own or rent a small apartment or a big house, you have to arrange everything not to be negatively surprised when you get back. Based on your location and how extreme is the weather in your place, you will have fewer or more worries.

We know this is not a fun part of planning a trip, but we have to do it. We enjoy a lot the time in our village house so we want to keep it safe and ready to “hug” us when we get back. We mostly travel during the Spring and Summer, so usually when we get back, we find the grass very high, lots of bugs around, dust, so a lot of work! But ok, the house itself is fine to live in again. And that’s exactly the goal! Imagine the opposite scenario, arriving after having wonderful holidays to find out your place was flooded during your absence, that it became the home and toilet for 25 cats due to a forgotten open window or something worse.

That can kill your nice holiday mood instantly. There’s no need to risk it! Better take time for leaving your home safe and then enjoy your holidays as hell!

1. Analyze your home's needs.

• Do you live in an apartment or house?
• Do you live in a busy or remote area?
• Is it safe where you live or house thieves are active around?
• In which season will you leave the house? Is the rainy season coming? Is it Winter?
• What are the risks around? Is there a close river? Are tornados common?
• Are there services you can cancel during your absence? Do you need an essential service to keep working?
• Are the services’ bills up to date? Can you pay them in advance? Or can you pay them online while traveling?
• Do you leave pets, plants, or flowers to take care of?
• Where do you leave your car? Do you have a safe (closed) garage? Do you need paid parking? Is it ok leaving in it on the street?
• Are you leaving pets or plants? Who can take care of them?
• Is there a problem to fix with windows, doors, or locks? Fixing issues is a priority!

Make a list so you won’t miss anything. And make this list 2 weeks or a month in advance but not at the last minute. The excitement of leaving home for going on holiday can easily blur your sight and make you ignore important issues. Besides, you won’t have time enough to fix or arrange anything.

2. Get the refrigerator empty and clean.

For us, to have always food in the refrigerator is a duty we are very committed to. We love food and we enjoy cooking! But leaving home for a long holiday suddenly requires doing the opposite in a limited time. And sometimes is not so easy to eat everything on time to leave. We have tried to give it away but it does not work as easily as you could expect. People are very attached to their personal preferences and taste. That’s why, once we have a date for leaving (exact or approximate), we organize our menu to use what we have and we don’t buy more (perishables).

Once empty, clean it out! The smallest spillover of milk or meat juice, a tiny piece of vegetable or dairy, can be attractive to bacteria. In a very short time, they can reproduce making your refrigerator a disgusting, smelly, and not healthy (for you) space. To find out this after your holidays is not the best welcome. You will require a bigger effort to clean that smelly mess. Better do it before leaving!

3. Install an IP camera or more.

Nowadays, getting such cameras is not difficult, there are choices for different budgets and you can install them and watch them through your Smartphone. You only need the Internet to access the image. Depending on the software, you could be able to take pictures and record video from the stream. No matter if you are far away, you could take an eye to your home!

4. Check plumbing and taps.

Here you have to check your specific needs. For us is simple, we just close the main tap not to have running water around the house. Now, we don’t have leaks or plumbing issues, due to the regular maintenance we practice. But in any case and aware that shit happens, we stop the water and that’s it. You can also close individual water valves to be sure (washing machine, sink, toilet, etc.).

5. Prevent fire hazards.

If your water heater and stove run on gas, be sure to close the stopcock. Even if you are sure there’s no leak or problem at all, it’s safer to close it.

Unplug your electronics while you are away. You will kill two birds with one shot. First of all, you will prevent an electrical fire. And second, you could get a reduction in your energy bill. It depends on the number and type of electronics you have at home. Yes, some appliances don’t consume a lot of electricity so if you think you will save only cents, still preventing a fire is a good reason to unplug them. Unplug chargers, vacuum cleaners, computers, routers, televisions, consoles (gaming), electric razors, printers, coffee machines, irons, washing machines, tools (drills, electric saw, air compressor, welding machine, etc.), kitchen appliances, refrigerator, dishwasher, fans, air conditioner, etc. 

While unplugging them make a quick check not to leave something inside them, like wet clothes in the washing machine, a bit of smoothie in the blender machine, dirty plates in the dishwasher, etc.

6. Program some lights to turn on in the evening.

We just recommended unplugging electronics. But if you consider, based on the security of your area, that there’s the risk of thieves, you could make your apartment or house look lived in. It’s easy, you can simply program either some lights or the tv to turn on in the evening and turn off after a couple of hours. The place won’t look empty.

There are analog outlet timers very easy to use and smart lamps or bulbs that give you the choice of controlling them remotely. Simulating someone's home is possible. 

7. Inform your insurance.

Insurances have different policies. Read in detail all of them not to get mistakes. For instance, they usually require you to inform them when you leave your house for them to be aware of this situation and to register it (dates of departure and arrival) in your file. Do it! Avoid all possible problems before leaving home.

8. Clean and organize a bit your home.

Yes, with all the work you already have organizing the trip, this task can sound pointless. You won’t be at home for the complete next month or months! But believe us, to leave dirty stuff (clothes, floors, rooms, dishes, etc.) and piles of mess will make you feel horrible when you get back. Besides, dirt can attract insects and bacteria. You don’t have to go deep but be sure you leave a decent place where to get back. And guys, be sure you take all the garbage out. Even a last check at the moment you are leaving home is worth it! Toilet garbage or organic one left behind a month or more can become a smelly nightmare.

We usually clean and organize once we finish packing for the trip. When we are sure we won’t be taking more stuff from drawers, closets, or from the garage, etc. A day or two days before leaving.

To motivate you to clean and organize your home before leaving it, think that later you will have to unpack. And this can be even more annoying if everything around is dirty and messy.

You know when you also need to clean your home? When you are going to host guests. Read how to prepare for visitors here. 

9. Ask someone to check your home.

To have trustable friends or neighbors is gold. If you can rely on someone to check your house during your absence, you will be more relaxed. Being in touch with him or her you will know the status of your place.

Talking about friends, you can also be interested in this article "Unexpected friendship lessons, only traveling can teach you". 

10. Close windows, curtains, and doors and lock them well. 

When the time arrives and you are ready to leave home for a long holiday, close very well every window, and door. Lock properly. Don’t do it in a hurry. Take proper time to close, lock and check that you made it well.

11. Turn on the alarm.

In case you have a house alarm, don’t forget to turn it on properly.

Conclusion.

Guys, this is not only boring theory. Exactly now, we are putting into practice these tips. Leaving home safe to go on a long holiday is possible. Safe travels and have fun!

You can like this article too: War tips for tourists who get trapped in a conflict.

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