Lifestyle 01/06/2022

Our home-essential checklist for when you go on holiday

Some of us might be lucky enough to be taking some time away from home for little bit of rest and recuperation, but we know that the pre-holiday prep can seem never-ending. There’s making sure you have the correct travel documents, exchanging your spending money into the right currency and simply remembering to pack enough socks!

But whether it’s a British staycation weekend away, or you’re packing your bags for a two-week getaway to somewhere exotic, it’s important to remember to properly prepare your home for your departure, so that you don’t come back to any unwanted surprises.

Read on to find out our top tips for preparing your home before you head out the door, baggage in tow.

Have a last clean and tidy

There’s nothing like coming home to a clean and tidy home after being away for some time, so before you jet off have one last quick do-over of every room to keep it all spick and span.

You’d hate it if your home acquired any new, critter-like housemates whilst you’re away, so you might want to hoover the carpets and flooring to remove any crumbs and dust, wipe down surfaces and counter tops to get rid of water stains or remnants of breakfast, then empty any bins and dispose of any rubbish.

If you’re away during a bin collection day, ask one of your neighbours to pull out your wheelie bin to avoid a rubbish build up when you arrive back home.

Create a “Mockupancy”

It’s everyone’s worst fear to arrive home to find that it’s has been broken in to. It’s scary and can have lasting effects on your mental health.

You could create a “mockupancy” to deter opportunists.The old school way would be to ask a family member or neighbour to open and close your curtains while you’re away, to mimic the look of someone being home. But clever technology has spared you the need of nominating someone with the task! With the help of a couple of smart products and your smartphone you can achieve a “mockupancy” even if you’re on the beach working on your tan.

4lite’s handy smart plugs allow you turn lights on and off with just a couple of taps on your smartphone wherever you are in the world (as long as you have a good WiFi connection), or you can create schedules and set timers for when you want your lights to go on or off.

Which leads us nicely onto our next tip…

Unplug all appliances

Keep your home safe from electrical trips and potential fire outbreaks by making sure all unnecessary electricals are switched off. That means doing a quick dash around the house before you leave and turning off anything that could be a fire hazard in the home. Check your TVs, computers, lamps, and of course any hair styling tools!

What’s more, you’ll save yourself some cash on the rising cost of energy bills, so make sure to not catch yourself short and switch off all appliances and electricals from the mains.

This is where smart plugs come in handy – they’re compatible with any appliance that you plug into the wall, so if you’re making a mad dash for the airport, be assured that you can switch anything off from your smartphone.

Don’t forget to make sure all your taps are firmly turned off as well. It would be a nightmare coming home after a stress-free holiday and realising your house has had a major leak.

Make arrangements for your furry friends

Unfortunately, we can’t always take our beloved pets with us on holiday so it’s vital that they are properly accommodated for while you and your family are away.

Send them to stay with a family member or a close friend, or someone who they’re familiar with and can settle down easily with. If this isn’t possible, a local kennels or pet sitter might be a good option for your pets as little getaway of their own.

If a kennel is the route you take, make sure to do your research with plenty of time before you go away and ensure that they can provide the necessary certification that shows they are competent and trustworthy, so you know that your pets will be kept safe and comfortable until you come home.

Wherever your furry friend is staying while you’re on holiday, remember to pack their food, any medication, and a couple of their favourite toys to keep them occupied and well looked after while you’re away.

Do you have any tips and tricks for preparing your home before going off on holiday? Let us know over on our social media channels by simply tagging us @KeepmoatHomes in your posts and using the hashtag #KeepmoatHomes.