There are many important things to remember when you’re going on vacation. We’ll explain how to secure your home properly before you leave…and much more. Use our suggestions so you enjoy your trip worry-free!
Ask someone you trust to help out
Yes, despite many technological advances, some home-related tasks still cannot be done remotely! You’ll need to delegate—a friend or family member can help while you’re gone.
Ask a reliable neighbour to empty your mailbox daily so it looks like someone’s home. If you have houseplants, make sure they have enough water while you’re away. If you’re going to be away for an extended period, you might want to ask someone to stop by and water them. The same principle applies to cleaning up your property.
Do you have any pets? You can leave them with a pet sitter or reserve a spot at a pet hotel or kennel.
EspaceProprio tip Leave an emergency contact with your trusted person, like a family member’s phone number or the number of the place where you’ll be staying during your trip. You can never be too careful!
Manage your devices
Energy consumption means the amount of power used by devices and processes in our daily lives. Since you’ll be away from home for an extended period, it’s a good idea to turn off all electrical devices and unplug those that you don’t need. This will save energy and reduce the risk of a fire. Check your smoke detectors are working properly and that their batteries are fully charged.
Travelling during the heat of summer? Ensure that hot tub and pool safety measures are in place—gates locked, cover or solar blanket installed, and the proper chemicals have been added to control algae and bacterial growth.
Travelling during winter? Set your heating system to an adequate temperature. Turning off the heat in winter is not recommended as the pipes may freeze.
Regardless of the season, ensure nothing is in the washing machine and then unplug it. Leave the machine door open and turn off the water supply.
Secure your property
Before heading off on your travels, ensure your home is well-secured. Here are a few key things to remember:
Activate the alarm system and advise the company that you’ll be away.
Lock all doors and windows.
Install security lighting so it seems like someone’s home even when you’re not there. Use timers to turn lights on and off at different times or set up some motion-detector lights.
Check that garage doors and gates are locked.
Lock all doors to your property and give spare keys to your trusted person.
Final checks before you go
Soon your feet will be on the plane—or on the beach! But before that, there are a few last-minute things to take care of. Here’s a list of final checks to be done:
Don’t leave valuables in plain sight. Put them in a safe, if you can, and close the curtains for maximum security.
Empty the garbage, fridge and cupboards of perishables that could spoil while you’re away. Don't forget to take care of your compost.
Water the garden so it stays in good condition. Ask your trusted person to water it if needed.
Park your vehicle in a safe location. Make sure it’s locked, and the windows closed.
Bonus tip: Have you considered organizing a travel section in your closet or another spot in your home? You could pack certain items in advance, such as a foreign-language phrasebook, a travel guide containing maps and plans of the country to be visited, your preferred camera, and other USB and electronic devices.
Finally, place all your essential travel documents in a precise spot, such as by the front door or your suitcase. You’ll be better organized and save time because you won’t be searching for them at the last minute, especially if you have an early morning flight. Gather your plane tickets, biometric or paper passport, any visas you need, proof of vaccination, transportation tickets, credit cards, international driver’s licence and travel insurance documents.
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