Before heading off on holiday or a trip—no matter how long—you should seriously consider getting your home in order. Coming back to find your jewelry box empty after a week-long Kenyan safari isn’t the only risk to think about. And the plants! Don’t forget your plants!
Here’s our checklist of things to take care of before you set off, in addition to remembering to pack that novel you’ve been meaning to read all year.
A Weekend Getaway
Even if you’re only away for a weekend, a few essential steps will make sure you can unwind and enjoy your well-deserved break.
- If your pets can stay at home, make sure someone stops by to refill their food and water bowls and check on their needs.
- Wash your dishes (or put away any clean dishes from the dishwasher) so you won’t return to a messy house.
- Be certain all lights are off, the oven is off, and items like hairdryers are unplugged.
- Lock all windows as well as front and back doors. Even upper-story windows can be an entry point for burglars. If you have sliding doors, place a board or metal bar in the track to prevent someone clever from opening them.
One-Week Vacation
A whole week away might feel luxurious, but before you set out for those 168 hours, review the list above and then add these steps:
- Take out the trash. Even a small amount left behind can smell terrible by the time you return—and may attract uninvited critters while you’re gone.
- While you’re at it, check the fridge and eat or freeze anything expiring soon. Worst case: toss it. Coming home to spoiled food is not the welcome you want.
- Give your plants a thorough watering and mist their leaves for extra hydration.
- If you have a lawn, mow it just before leaving, especially in the summer if it’s been a while since the last cut. Nothing says “no one’s home” like overgrown grass.
- Unplug small appliances like the coffee maker and toaster—they use power even when not in use, and fewer plugged-in items mean less risk if there’s a power surge.
- Suspend any newspaper delivery so papers don’t pile up while you’re away.
- Close the bedroom, bathroom, and any interior doors before you leave; if a fire starts, closed doors slow its spread and give firefighters more time.
Traveling for a Month
Whether you’re backpacking around Europe or relaxing in a tropical paradise, spending several weeks away requires extra attention to anything you’re leaving behind.
- Ask your post office to hold your mail until you return, or have a trusted friend or neighbor collect your mail and parcels so it doesn’t pile up.
- If you have a driveway, ask a neighbor to park there occasionally to make the home look lived in. If you have a garage, keep your own car there for safety.
- Buy a few timers for your lights and TV (or try TV mimic lights). You can also control lights remotely via a smart home app if available. Lights give the appearance someone’s home, deterring burglars.
- If you have an alarm, leave a key and code with the same neighbor. If not, consider a warning sign in your yard or window, or even a dummy camera to give the impression of security.
- If you’re leaving in winter, set the thermostat low (but not off) to keep your home from freezing and avoid a huge heating bill. If it’s very cold, consider draining your pipes as well.
- If you’re away in summer, set your thermostat about 10 degrees below the outside temperature to keep energy bills sensible and your home comfortable on return.
- Don’t forget bills such as electricity and heating, and any other key financial deadlines; set up automatic payments to avoid late fees.
- For your plants, consider an automatic watering system so they stay healthy in your absence.
- If you have valuables, consider getting a small safe to (hopefully) keep them secure.
- Check the batteries in smoke and CO2 detectors—if they go off, emergency services will be notified even if you’re away.
- Check any smart locks, smart security systems, or other devices that need batteries or charging, and set up alerts for any movement inside or outside while you’re gone.
