It’s that time of the year when we pack our bags and take to the hills, beaches, and cities. Trains, planes and automobiles. But, there’s so much planning in advance of the trip – clear the intray, re-direct email, sort the clothes and packing, check the passport validity (usually the night before!) – that sometimes it seems so much trouble that all we want to do is just get up a little later and do a few day trips from home. What’s more, we often neglect some basic security around our homes before we lockup and wave goodbye to the homestead. And, a few simple pre-holiday tasks will make the homecoming so much sweeter.
So, here are a few simple tips to get your holiday off to a grand start.
- Turn off your water at the stopcock, usually located under the sink in the kitchen . This limits any possible damage from leaks. This is much more important for winter trips, particularly like the one just past, when we had severe freezing.
- Empty the bins (great when you return). Who needs a swarm of flies or a skulk of foxes checking your leftovers whilst you bask in the sun?
- Secure any sheds at the back and lock the side entrance.
- Programme one of your lights to come on in the evenings. Do a test run to make sure that it works and your are leaving an electricity supply to it – see comment on electricity below.
- Inform a (friendly) neighbour and ask him/her to remove that tell-tale marketing bumph from the door step. If they are really friendly they might keep an eye on the place, feed the cats, walk the dog – you wish. BUT, remember they do will be going on hols at some point and you can return the favour. We all want to live in safe, secure and friendly communities.
- Turn off the electricity at the fusebox except where you require constant electricity then just turn off everything else.
- Put some bread and milk in the freezer in case of a late return. Let’s keep the holiday good will factor for as long as possible!
Bon Voyage.
Jobjar's to-do list before you go on holiday
