At Home: Vacation Checklist Part One

• Put a hold on it. Request that a hold be put on your newspaper and mail delivery service – or have a neighbor check your mail box and front porch daily.

• Pay it down. Review your upcoming bills and set-up any required auto payments for while you’re away.

• Clean it out. Throw, or give away perishable food from the fridge and pantry that may go bad. If you have the time, give your fridge a quick wipe down so that it’s nice and clean when you return home.

• Freshen Up. Wash all of your bed linens and towels, as there’s nothing better than coming home to clean sheets after a long day of travel.

• Ring the Alarm. Call your alarm company to let them know that you’ll be out of town, and advise them of anyone who may be in the house while you’re gone (e.g. a friend or neighbour watering your plants and checking the mail).

• Credit Check. Advise your credit card company(ies) that you’ll be travelling, as many financial institutions will hold the approval of transactions outside of Canada if you haven’t notified them of your plans.

• Take it Out. Empty all of your garbage cans and recycling bins before leaving. Have a friend or neighbour take your bins out on garbage day, and put them away after.

• Set It. If you have air conditioning, adjust your thermostat before you leave to reduce your costs. Also set timers for your lights to give the impression that someone is home.

• Unplug Everything. Summer storms can cause power surges, so unplug your desktop computer and appliances before leaving for holidays.

Visit us again next week for a vacation checklist for your garden!