As the Thanksgiving holiday kicks off the travel season, it’s crucial to consider the necessary steps to secure your home before embarking on your trip. Here are some precautions to take:
Coordinate with a friend or neighbor to collect your mail or packages, especially if they’re visible from the street. Alternatively, you can request a mail hold at your local post office for up to 30 days.
Enhance home security by utilizing multiple timers for lights in different rooms, creating the illusion of an occupied residence during your absence.
Mitigate fire risks by unplugging countertop appliances and electronic devices, including kitchen gadgets, computers, printers, hair dryers, and electric shavers, when not in use.
If you have a home security system, inform the alarm company about your absence and provide necessary access codes to anyone overseeing your home.
Contact your credit card company and bank to notify them of your vacation plans, preventing any potential security-related issues with your cards.
Develop a departure checklist for tasks around the house, including securing windows and doors, watering indoor plants, disposing of perishables, emptying the dishwasher, taking out the trash, and programming the thermostat for vacation mode. Conceal valuables like jewelry or laptops.
Extend your checklist to the backyard, ensuring that the garden shed is locked, and items like toys, bicycles, or lawnmowers are safely stored. Avoid leaving tools or ladders visible.
Create a travel checklist for items to bring on your trip. Verify your carry-on bag for essentials such as passports, boarding passes, medications, electronic devices, chargers, and the one-quart bag of small items. Double-check your suitcase to ensure you haven’t overlooked any essential items.
Lastly, plan for your return home by considering ways to make the re-entry as relaxing as possible. Preparing a frozen meal before departure ensures a ready-to-go dinner upon your return, minimizing stress after a long journey.
