7 Things to do before you Leave for a Long Holiday

That pending trip is finally becoming a reality. You can almost see yourself lazing on the beach, chasing your cousin’s dog or setting up a barbeque with your favorite aunt. A month of absolutely no work and just play is fast approaching. However at the back of your mind you are still worried about leaving your home unattended for a month, or about leaving one of your important documents behind or worse still forgetting to lock your valuables. The joy of a long holiday is often coupled with worries of theft, loss and other probable issues that could occur. Having said that however if you follow a detailed plan of things that must be done before leaving for your holiday, most worries can be kept at bay. 1. Make lists- Start by making a ‘packing list’ and ‘lock away’ list. This way you will not forget to pack at least the essentials like medicines, toiletries and warm garments. Simultaneously list out any extra cash or jewelry that has been lying at home and needs to be locked away either at the bank or in your sturdy office locker. Also have a check list ready for all documents that you need to carry, like passports, visas, tickets, reservations, etc. 2. Inform neighbors- Inform trusted neighbors that you will be away. They can help in keeping a watch while you are away and also attend to any important people/ correspondence that may be dropping by. If any plants need to be watered, leave a key and request them to do so once in 2 days. However make sure you trust these neighbors completely. 3. Insurance- Get both travel and home Insurance policies from a reputed insurance company. Travel insurance will protect you from probable travel emergencies like theft, loss and medical problems. Insuring the house will ensure that in case theft, burglary, breaking in or flooding of the house takes place while you are gone, you will be compensated as per the contract and understanding, thus letting you have a relatively stress free holiday. 4. Set email on auto reply with a note- You might lose out on important communication while you are away, especially if you are not reachable on phone. Set your email to auto reply with a note saying you are on holiday. Provide an emergency number if possible, just in case something important needs to be communicated. This will especially help in case any companies are trying to reach you for unpaid bills or overdue payments. They may mistake your no reply to inability to pay and cut-off necessary services. 5. Turn off supplies and unplug electronics- Turn off the main water supply and unplug all electronics. An unattended house with electronics and flowing water can spell disaster. The last thing you want is to come back to a flooded home or a carpet burnt due to an electronic spark. Turning off unrequited gadgets will also help save electricity and money. 6. Throw away all perishable food- Throw away any leftover food, perishable items and anything with a short shelf life. Also remember to take out the garbage. You do not want to come back after a beautiful vacation to a stinky apartment. 7. Settle pets- If you have any pets that are not going with you. Settle them at an animal home or boarding home. Make sure you drop them well in advance so that they have enough time to settle in. Check on them till before you leave and if possible request a relative or friend to check on them occasionally while you are gone. With so many things to wind up before leaving for a holiday, there is bound to be a slip up somewhere. However with careful and phased out planning, most things can be taken care off.