Keep it handy on your phone by using my template checklist, or write it on a post-it and stick it to the door – so you’ll be quick at unplugging on the day of departure.ĭo the pipes in your building have recurring problems? Maybe it’s worth closing the main tap. Go through the rooms, look at all the appliances in your house, and make a “departure day list” of what to uplug. In general, consider that unplugging appliances saves energy and money, and helps lower the risk of fires. We unplug anything that has a led always on, like the router. Our fridge-freezer is never completely empty, so we leave it plugged in. The tv, instead, can stay plugged in – it doesn’t make a big difference. It may require reading the instructions.įor example, our robot vacuum cleaner should be unplugged. Decide what appliances and electronics to unplugīefore leaving for a long trip, take your time to research and decide what devices to unplug. Our flat doesn’t need much attention, but we still asked family to go and check on it from time to time – especially when I was waiting for official letters from the government, they opened them and sent me a picture. Turning the lights on and off could be automated with a timer. Turning the lights on in the morning and evening.Parking a car out front from time to time.If your home should look lived in, to avoid burglars, consider also:

Opening the taps and flushing the toilets from time to time.Retrieving the mail (consider leaving an authorization for mail that requires a signature).Ask them in advance, just in case they also plan to travel in the same period, or cannot assist you for other reasons. Consider asking for someone to watch your homeĭepending on where you live and what your home needs, think of asking a neighbour, a friend or family member, or a homesitter for help. It will be easier to ask them to watch out for your mail when you leave. Get to know them in advance, invite them for coffee or have a chat on the stairs. Meet the neighboursīeing on friendly terms with the neighbours can always come in handy. Why does the checklist for leaving home for vacation starts so long in advance? Because you will avoid getting stressed out as the day of departure comes near 🙂 1. We can relax in Cortina, Italy: we locked the door twice! ONE MONTH BEFORE YOUR VACATION

Closing up my vacation home checklist