Home checklist before going on vacation
We travel for many reasons – business, adventure, rest and relaxation, just to name a few. While travelling may be a good way to escape the same old, same old of your daily routine, it’s important not to forget about your responsibilities at home before you head off. The last thing you want to do is come home from a relaxing vacation only to find your basement flooded, or that your house has been broken into.
It’s often said that with homeownership, comes great responsibility. So before going on vacation, it helps to come up with a home checklist. That way you won’t find yourself frantically scrambling at the last minute to do a bunch of things you forgot to do before heading off.
Here is a home checklist of things you’ll want to take care of, in order to protect your home while you're away.
1) You don’t want the mail to pile up while you’re away on vacation. If you’re going to be away for a short while, ask someone to collect the mail for you, otherwise put a hold on the mail, newspapers and magazines. If your mailbox is overflowing with mail, it’s a telltale sign nobody is home, which can make your home the target for thieves.
2) Will you be taking Fido the dog or Fluffy the cat with you on your vacation? If not, you’ll want to arrange for care while you’re away. Ask a family member or friend to regularly check in on your pet. You’ll want to ensure your beloved family friend has fresh water and food, as well as a little company. If you’re going to be away for a while, you might want to leave your pet at the kennel or with a pet sitter.
3) You may be in “vacation mode,” but that doesn’t mean your bills will be. You’ll want to make sure all your bill payments are taken care of before you leave on vacation. If your bills are sent via mail, switch to electronic and check your email regularly to ensure nothing is overdue. The last thing you want is to ruin your credit history or have the power turned off while you’re away.
4) Phone your bank to let them know where you’ll be travelling to. Your bank will add a travel alert to your credit card. That way your credit card won’t be frozen if there are suddenly charges in Los Angeles, Hawaii or wherever you’re travelling to.
5) If you’re going to be away for a while, consider turning off the water to your home. The last thing you want is to come home to a flooded basement or a burst pipe. This is, unfortunately, a pretty common source of insurance claims, and doesn't lead to the most enjoyable of fallouts.
6) If you live in a house with a lawn, and you’re going to be away more than a week, arrange to have someone mow it. Not only will you come home to a freshly cut lawn, it won’t give the impression to passerby’s that you’re away. It's the same principle as with the mail
7) Check your fridge for any food that may be expiring. Consume it, give it away or throw it out before going on vacation. The smell alone should be incentive enough.
While all this might seem a little mundane in the face of an exciting vacation, just remember that nothing will spoil a good trip like worrying about what's going on back home. Make a list, get it over with and then, go enjoy yourself.