There are so many things to do to prepare for vacation – checking into the airline, packing, and verifying hotel stays. But don’t forget to prepare your house for your absence. This pre-vacation checklist is so important!
Pre-Vacation Checklist
What do you do before you leave on vacation? Depending on how long you’ll be gone, there are some things that you really shouldn’t forget. The worst surprise in the world is coming home to something broken or missing.
Before you leave on vacation, use this checklist to make sure your home and all you own is prepared.
1. Turn off all your lights.
Go through your entire house and turn off all your lights. Double-check outdoor lights and reading lamps.
2. Set your thermostat
Depending on when you’ll be away, you can either raise or lower the temperature on your thermostat. If you are taking a winter vacation, do not turn the heat completely off – this could lead to frozen pipes.
For summer vacations, you can set it to 76-78 degrees. During winter months, keep it around 65 degrees.
3. Check the faucets for leaks
Make sure all the faucets are turned completely off and there are not any leaks. Leaky faucets will cost you lots of money while you are away.
4. Eat or dispose of perishable foods
Don’t leave any perishable foods in the refrigerator that will go bad while you are away. This mostly means leftovers or takeout foods. Sauces and drinks will last a few weeks in the refrigerator. Check all the expiration dates before you leave.
5. Take out the trash
Empty all the trash cans before you leave. Any trash left in the house will grow an odor and not be pleasant to return home to.
6. Clean your house
Sweep and mop or vacuum all the floors and do your laundry. You will love the feeling of coming home to a clean home late at night after traveling.
7. Set the DVR.
Make sure your DVR is set to record any shows you want to watch when you come back. It’ll be so nice to come home and be able to catch up on any shows you missed.
8. Turn off power strips
Don’t leave anything plugged in that you won’t be using. Turn off power strips to your computer equipment, toaster, and other electronics. This will prevent any electrical fires or power surge damage from summer storms.
9. Prepare for mail delivery
Put a vacation hold on your mail at the Post Office or ask someone you trust to pick up your mail and newspapers. When you leave your mail piling up and newspapers on your porch, it’s advertising to possible thieves that you are not home.
You can also ask the post office to hold your mail and the newspaper to pause your subscription.
10. Lock all your windows and set the alarm
Go through your entire home and make sure all your windows and doors are locked. This is also a great time to go through each room and make sure you aren’t forgetting anything.
Then, you just have to set the alarm and lock the door behind you!
Pre-Vacation Checklist – Keep Your Home Safe
This pre-vacation checklist is so important! There are so many tiny things we forget as we rush out the door to catch a flight. You could be leaving your home vulnerable if you forget anything. And no one likes that dreaded feeling of anxiety, as you try to remember if you did everything!
Print out this list and you’ll have a safe and secure home that will be ready for you at the end of your vacation.
More Travel Tips
If you enjoyed this pre-vacation checklist, I have even more travel tips and tricks for you. Read these so you are extra-prepared for your trip.
- Pre-Vacation Checklist
- Discount Travel Sites for Cheaper Travel
- Senior Discounts for Hotels and Travel
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