Ten Important Things to Do at Home Before Going on Holiday

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Booking flight tickets, arranging hotels, and researching things to see and do are all important components of the travel process.

But one equally important component that often gets overlooked until the last minute is preparing your dwelling to be left unattended for what could be a considerable period of time. There are plenty of actions you can take to safeguard the home during your absence — both for piece of mind and to minimise the risk of thieves coming to the conclusion that your unoccupied property is an easy target.

So, let’s get started! Here are ten important things to do at home before going on holiday.

1. Clear away excess rubbish and debris

Making sure that your property looks loved and lived in for the duration of your trip is essential, and that starts with a thorough outdoor clean-up a week or so before you depart. Give the garden a spruce up, mow the lawns, and dispose of any rubbish or debris. All Gone Rubbish Removals will be able to assist with the latter. You should also take this opportunity to secure any loose items (like garden furniture) that could become airborne during a storm and cause damage to your home.

2. Arrange for mail collection and lawn mowing

Nothing says ‘I’m away’ quite like mail piling up around your letterbox and a lawn that looks like the Amazon. Make arrangements for both to be taken care of during your absence. Ask a neighbour to collect the mail and arrange for a friend or relative to mow the lawn every couple of weeks. Just be sure to return the favours when you’re asked!

3. Check the locks on windows and doors

Is your home actually intruder-proof? Now’s the time to double check — particularly if you live in an older house where security can be a bit iffy. Check that all window locks and deadbolts are in good working order. Pet doors should also be secured from the inside. Remove that spare key from under the pot plant by the front door and instead, pass a full set of keys on to a friend or relative for safekeeping (just in case someone needs to enter the house while you’re away).

4. Clean the inside of your home

Coming home to a clean and tidy house is a great feeling, and for that reason alone it’s worth leaving the inside of your home in order. But there are some hygiene considerations as well. Clean out the fridge to avoid food spoilage and empty all rubbish receptacles. Giving your bathrooms the once-over will minimise the potential growth of mould and mildew. If you live in a steamy climate, place empty spill proof dehumidifier containers in linen cupboards and wardrobes to absorb excess moisture in the air.

5. Turn standby appliances off

If it’s not necessary for an appliance to be on during your absence (for example, your microwave or smart TV), turn it off completely. Appliances in stand-by mode remain primed and ready for use at a moment’s notice — and they use power to do it. Shutting them down completely will save you some dollars. You may also be able to put your hot water system into holiday mode and save more moolah there.

6. Make it look like you’re there

It’s easy to give the illusion that your house is occupied even when you’re away for weeks on end. Firstly, put a couple of interior lamps on timer switches, so that they come on at dusk and switch off at around 10 or 11pm. Leave the curtains or blinds drawn in those particular rooms (and a few others), making it difficult for a potential intruder to work out that there’s no one in the house. An easy ‘prop’ to have in plain sight is your car. Leave it visible in the garage or under the carport, and arrange a lift to the airport. Even if you don’t own a dog, leave a second-hand dog lead (so it doesn’t look too new) and feeding bowl in plain sight. And finally, turn the ringer on your landline phone down. The stage is set!

7. Cancel any pending deliveries

If you have newspapers and magazines delivered to your home, put the deliveries on hold while you’re away. It’s also worth checking if there are any purchases that you’ve made online that may be delivered while you’re away. If so, request that the delivery is put on hold until your return.

8. Register your absence with police

Did you know that police stations have a register of home absences? You do now! And if you’re going away for an extended period, it’s well worth putting yourself on it. You can lodge an Absence from Residence notification online or download a form and drop it into your local police station in person. Part of this process is to make sure that the number of your home is clearly visible, so that patrolling police officers know which house is yours!

9. Minimise what you post on social media

It’s very exciting to be going on holiday, but give careful consideration to what you post on social media about your upcoming trip — and while you’re actually away. Publicising your travel dates and details is not the best idea from a security standpoint for obvious reasons. At the very least, update your security settings so that posts are only seen by friends and family. However, as well all know, Facebook leaks like the proverbial sieve, so beware!

10. Secure important documents and very valuable items

Despite all of the above, in theory, someone could still break into your home while you’re away. And while there are many items that most of us wouldn’t miss too greatly if they were stolen, some things are irreplaceable. We’re talking heirloom or valuable pieces of  jewellery, luxury watches, and wills, titles, and other important documents. So, unless you have a hidden safe under the floorboards, ask a trusted friend or family member to keep them safe for you.

This post was published thanks to All Gone Rubbish Removals.

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Do you have any suggestions to add to our list of important things to do at home before going on holiday? We would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.

The information contained in this story is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice in any way. We make every effort to ensure this content is accurate, but we do not guarantee it. You should do your own research and seek the advice of professionals before acting or relying on any of the information provided in this story.

Additional images: Depositphotos