Before Leaving for Vacations TO DO list
Going on a long vacation locking up your home, then here’s the list along with some tips & tricks
1. Common
- Leave your expensive jewellery etc in bank lockers
- Get a home insurance if you don’t have
- Tell someone from family or friends about your absence
- Leave a spare house key for any emergency with family, friend or neighbor
- Leave your Whatsapp contact number with security or neighbors so they can
- call/message in case of emergency. (in case you’re on your international trip, then the phone may not connect etc)
- If you’re the anxious type click pics of all the things you would keep thinking about on the trip.
- Switches. Closed windows. Switched off bathroom Geyzer or AC switch. Checking those pics you know you haven’t missed anything
- Add naphthalene balls all across the house. When back house will smell for 2-3 days, but it’s better than insects roaming around.
- Check and add moisture controller in cupboards etc if needed.
- Have timer lights for safety (Optional)
- Lock up your rooms. In case of break-in into any one room the robbers shouldn’t have access to the whole house instantaneously
- Pause your newspapers subscription
- Cover your furniture with bedsheets etc
2. Kitchen
- Check for all perishable items. Discard or give away
- Move any items to the refrigerator which may rot if left outside for long
- Shut off the gas line or the regulator in case of cylinder
- Keeping big water bowls uncovered in the refrigerator absorbs bad odors
- Make sure you check the refrigerator temperature. Adjust it if needed if going to be shut for long.
3. Electronics
- Disconnect all electronics gadgets. Unplug them
- Switch off the main switch of large appliances like air conditioners etc
- You can also switch off the main switches room wise from the main board
- If you have CCTV cameras installed make sure you don’t switch off the power supply
4. Bathroom/Toilet
- Cover up the sinks• Switch off and disconnect all electronics (Geysers etc)
- If your bathroom has water tanks keep it half filled. In case of any leak etc, it doesn’t directly overflow
- Cover the sinks in the washroom and kitchen with something heavy or tape them so no cockroaches can come in.
5. Garage/Parking
- Cover your bike/car
- If going for a longer period of time ask someone to switch on the car/bike every few weeks + move it a bit so tires don’t go bad.
Packing Checklist for International Travel
1. Documents + Money
- Passport
- Visa Letter if not stamped in passport and on physical paper
- Tickets/boarding pass if physical
- Travel Insurance Policy
- Driving License + IDL (If driving)
- Cash + Credit Cards
- Passes (in case of physical ones)
- Copies of your passport + visa + other relevant travel docs
2. Items in your carry-on bag + (Above mentioned items)
- Cellphone
- SIM eject pin
- Chargers
- Powerbank/s
- International power plug
- Pen
- Neck Pillow (Optional)
- A tee & shorts (in case of flight delays or some incident etc)
- Refillable water bottle
- Headphone/s
- Sunglasses/Cap (optional)
- Water proof pouch to store your passport + phone + other important docs
- Locks
- Some dry fruit snacks (optional in case of delays etc)
- Money belt (optional)
- Eye Mask & Ear Plugs
3. Medicines
- Motion Sickness Tablets
- Sunblock
- Mosquito Repellent
- Bandages
- Blister Protector Tape/Plaster
- Diarrhea Medications
4. (Few which some people carry)
- Check-in Bag
- Use cubes for your packing needs
- Carry a small bag for putting dirty clothes / used shoes etc
5. Some other tips
- Let your CC company know of your international trip
- Activate International Roaming if carrying your home mobile number
- Write down the train/bus routes to reach your stay location for the first day (in case you don’t have internet etc)
- Click pics of your home electronic switches in case you keep getting anxious if you switched them off or not.
