Anything to add to this pre-travel checklist?

[Anonymous]

I always panic like the mom in Home Alone that we forgot something. For peace of mind, please add anything I may have missed!

-Stop mail and newspaper, if applicable
-Empty fridge and pantry of anything that will spoil while you’re away
-Take out trash
-Flush toilets
-Lock windows
-Turn thermostat to desired temperature
-Make sure stove is off
-Water heater to vacation setting
-Shut off water (assuming you don’t leave it on for irrigation purposes)

[Anonymous]

Don’t rely on a teenage cousin to take the family head count. Your time to relax in first class while the kids fend for themselves in basic economy comes AFTER you personally check that every one of your children (and DH) is in that shuttle van to the airport.

Yes, if left behind, of course DH can probably fend for himself even with an empty fridge and the heat turned down to 57, but since he did zero vacay planning, you don’t want him to be left at home wondering if you guys went to grenada or granada.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t rely on a teenage cousin to take the family head count. Your time to relax in first class while the kids fend for themselves in basic economy comes AFTER you personally check that every one of your children (and DH) is in that shuttle van to the airport.

Yes, if left behind, of course DH can probably fend for himself even with an empty fridge and the heat turned down to 57, but since he did zero vacay planning, you don’t want him to be left at home wondering if you guys went to grenada or granada.

lol!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always panic like the mom in Home Alone that we forgot something. For peace of mind, please add anything I may have missed!

-Stop mail and newspaper, if applicable
-Empty fridge and pantry of anything that will spoil while you’re away
-Take out trash
-Flush toilets
-Lock windows
-Turn thermostat to desired temperature
-Make sure stove is off
-Water heater to vacation setting
-Shut off water (assuming you don’t leave it on for irrigation purposes)

Ooh, good list. I am going to wear my thinking cap and thing long and hard about what can go wrong.

- Biggest things in this world of climate change and extreme weather - Unplug all the appliances (except fridge and freezer), TVs, laptops, printers, piano, lamps etc that you will not use. My neighbor's house got hit by a lightening when he was away and every appliance got fried.
- Store your lawn furniture etc so that they don't get blown around in a derecho.
- Make sure that there is a screen cover over your basement drain that flows into your sump pump. A drain clogged by leaves in your basement will floor your basement in a downpour. Also, have a water leakage alarm at strategic areas, so that you get the notification if there is a leak or flooding in your house.
- Add AirTags to all your luggage. Also, use a patterned tape to mark your luggage, electronics and chargers. Use the same pattern tape so that your stuff is easily identifiable.
- Have nest cams in your home everywhere, have a ring cam. Get your alarm monitored.
- Let your neighbors and family know that you are leaving, itinerary. phone numbers of your relatives and friends and how to reach you. Also, at least one reliable neighbor should have your key, and alarm code so that they can get inside if there is an issue.
- Automatic lights light up at dusk. Make sure that your porch lights get switched on at dusk.
- Use sliding door security bars.
- If you are parking your cars in your driveway, remove the automatic garage door remote.
- Lock the door going to your garage from your house, from inside the house.
- Hide away your car keys and credit cards that you are not using/
- Inform your credit card company if you are traveling internationally.
- Close lid of your toilet pot.
- Water your indoor plants after giving them a good rinse before you go. You may not need someone to come in to water your plants if you are gone for a few days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always panic like the mom in Home Alone that we forgot something. For peace of mind, please add anything I may have missed!

-Stop mail and newspaper, if applicable
-Empty fridge and pantry of anything that will spoil while you’re away
-Take out trash
-Flush toilets
-Lock windows
-Turn thermostat to desired temperature
-Make sure stove is off
-Water heater to vacation setting
-Shut off water (assuming you don’t leave it on for irrigation purposes)

Ooh, good list. I am going to wear my thinking cap and thing long and hard about what can go wrong.

- Biggest things in this world of climate change and extreme weather - Unplug all the appliances (except fridge and freezer), TVs, laptops, printers, piano, lamps etc that you will not use. My neighbor's house got hit by a lightening when he was away and every appliance got fried.
- Store your lawn furniture etc so that they don't get blown around in a derecho.
- Make sure that there is a screen cover over your basement drain that flows into your sump pump. A drain clogged by leaves in your basement will floor your basement in a downpour. Also, have a water leakage alarm at strategic areas, so that you get the notification if there is a leak or flooding in your house.
- Add AirTags to all your luggage. Also, use a patterned tape to mark your luggage, electronics and chargers. Use the same pattern tape so that your stuff is easily identifiable.
- Have nest cams in your home everywhere, have a ring cam. Get your alarm monitored.
- Let your neighbors and family know that you are leaving, itinerary. phone numbers of your relatives and friends and how to reach you. Also, at least one reliable neighbor should have your key, and alarm code so that they can get inside if there is an issue.
- Automatic lights light up at dusk. Make sure that your porch lights get switched on at dusk.
- Use sliding door security bars.
- If you are parking your cars in your driveway, remove the automatic garage door remote.
- Lock the door going to your garage from your house, from inside the house.
- Hide away your car keys and credit cards that you are not using/
- Inform your credit card company if you are traveling internationally.
- Close lid of your toilet pot.
- Water your indoor plants after giving them a good rinse before you go. You may not need someone to come in to water your plants if you are gone for a few days.

Do your laundry before you go. Also, clean your house (or get it cleaned professionally) before you go. Change the bed sheets, remove any food that is on the kitchen counters, throw out all the trash from the waste paper baskets, refill the empty soap containers, put a fresh toilet roll in the holder, line up clean slippers at the front door ..... come back to a clean and comfortable house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always panic like the mom in Home Alone that we forgot something. For peace of mind, please add anything I may have missed!

-Stop mail and newspaper, if applicable
-Empty fridge and pantry of anything that will spoil while you’re away
-Take out trash
-Flush toilets
-Lock windows
-Turn thermostat to desired temperature
-Make sure stove is off
-Water heater to vacation setting
-Shut off water (assuming you don’t leave it on for irrigation purposes)

Ooh, good list. I am going to wear my thinking cap and thing long and hard about what can go wrong.

- Biggest things in this world of climate change and extreme weather - Unplug all the appliances (except fridge and freezer), TVs, laptops, printers, piano, lamps etc that you will not use. My neighbor's house got hit by a lightening when he was away and every appliance got fried.
- Store your lawn furniture etc so that they don't get blown around in a derecho.
- Make sure that there is a screen cover over your basement drain that flows into your sump pump. A drain clogged by leaves in your basement will floor your basement in a downpour. Also, have a water leakage alarm at strategic areas, so that you get the notification if there is a leak or flooding in your house.
- Add AirTags to all your luggage. Also, use a patterned tape to mark your luggage, electronics and chargers. Use the same pattern tape so that your stuff is easily identifiable.
- Have nest cams in your home everywhere, have a ring cam. Get your alarm monitored.
- Let your neighbors and family know that you are leaving, itinerary. phone numbers of your relatives and friends and how to reach you. Also, at least one reliable neighbor should have your key, and alarm code so that they can get inside if there is an issue.
- Automatic lights light up at dusk. Make sure that your porch lights get switched on at dusk.
- Use sliding door security bars.
- If you are parking your cars in your driveway, remove the automatic garage door remote.
- Lock the door going to your garage from your house, from inside the house.
- Hide away your car keys and credit cards that you are not using/
- Inform your credit card company if you are traveling internationally.
- Close lid of your toilet pot.
- Water your indoor plants after giving them a good rinse before you go. You may not need someone to come in to water your plants if you are gone for a few days.

Wow. That’s a lot.

We turn the lights out and lock the door. Maybe run the dishwasher if it’s dirty or take the trash out if it’s full.

[Anonymous]

Flush toilets?

[Anonymous]

Will you be home for a long time? That’s a lot of stuff to do

I always have my cleaners come while we travel- my house is always chaotic before a trip and I love returning to a clean home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Flush toilets?

I guess that should read “make sure everyone flushed toilets”. We once left and DC had used the bathroom and didn’t flush and the stench when we returned home was worse than the worst nasty pee smelling outhouse you can imagine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will you be home for a long time? That’s a lot of stuff to do

I always have my cleaners come while we travel- my house is always chaotic before a trip and I love returning to a clean home.

Yep, we have cleaners come the day before we get home.

[Anonymous]

- Open the door of your dishwasher, washer and dryer so that it is aired out when you are gone.
- Clean the garbage disposal in your kitchen sink and use plink in it.
- Put a bowl of baking soda in the fridge
- Use the frozen cup of water and coin trick in the freezer to figure out if you lost power when you were away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will you be home for a long time? That’s a lot of stuff to do

I always have my cleaners come while we travel- my house is always chaotic before a trip and I love returning to a clean home.

I don't think it is actually a lot of things to do, especially if these things are a part and parcel of daily life.

We are immigrants and travel at least once a year to my country of origin. I have an extra phone with a SIM card for that country, with all my contact info in it. I am in the habit of letting my credit card company know when I travel and I only use one international credit card for that. I have a bank account in the other country and an ATM card for that. We keep our driver's license, passport, visas, vaccines current. We are pretty good about being travel ready.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will you be home for a long time? That’s a lot of stuff to do

I always have my cleaners come while we travel- my house is always chaotic before a trip and I love returning to a clean home.

Yep, we have cleaners come the day before we get home.

I never let cleaners, service providers or handymen come to my house in my absence. I am just not comfortable with it.

[Anonymous]

Check that all doors and windows are locked.

[Anonymous]

Pay any bills that aren't automatic.