It feels exciting to plan for a vacation, especially for ones that can last up to months. However, you have to go through a long and exhausting process years ahead of the event. Saving up enough money to finance your adventure is crucial. Securing the necessary documents and purchasing the flight and lodging details are also top priorities. You also have to pack for the trip, which means you have to come up with a list of travel essentials. With many tasks to perform before your long trip, it can be easy to forget about the things you need to do at home before you leave. Here are some things to add to your to-do list before going on a long travel adventure.
Unplug All Unnecessary Appliances
Leaving your home for a few weeks or months does not mean that your electricity bills will stop arriving. The appliances and home systems in your property will continue to work without the presence of human beings, which means that you still have to pay your dues despite your travel plans. It isn’t ideal to use electricity if you are not benefitting from it, which is why you have to unplug appliances. Unplug electronic devices, Wi-Fi, water dispensers, and other equipment before you leave the house. The refrigerator is one of the few machines that require constant power, but the rest of the household items will only add up to your electricity bill. Make sure that you check the plugged-in appliances before leaving. The task can also prevent short circuits that could cause fires while you are away from home.
Inform Your Alarm Company About Your Departure
Most homeowners invest in an alarm system to help protect themselves and their properties. When something or someone triggers the devices, the alarm company can alert the police of any intrusion. However, you cannot figure out if your home is under attack while you are traveling. Fortunately, you can contact the alarm company and tell them about your vacation plans. They will send out immediate responders faster if they know that you are not present in your property. If you are unwilling to leave things to chances, you can set up a monitoring system that sends a live feed of your home to your mobile phone. Traveling is an exciting adventure, but keeping your home safe while you are away is crucial.
Adjust Your Home Thermostat
If you are going to travel for a long time, you should leave your home in one temperature setting. The warm climate might cause damage to the wooden materials in your home because of the heat and humidity. If you are leaving in wintertime, your windows and other glass items can get broken with ease. Make sure that you adjust your home thermostat to avoid the inconvenience. Take note of the weather in your area before coming up with the room temperature. Also, the task can save you money on electricity bills.
Perform All Necessary Maintenance Tasks
You will leave your home for a long time, which means that you won’t do many maintenance tasks during that time. If you fail to fix the repair issues, you risk them getting worse in your absence. It is vital to take note of the home maintenance tasks before going on your vacation. Check usual areas like the walls, sockets, faucet leaks, electrical wiring, and roof. You can perform the maintenance tasks by yourself. However, you have to hire a contractor for roofing.
Empty Your Refrigerator
The purpose of keeping the refrigerator plugged in is to keep your ingredients and food fresh. However, months of sitting inside a container can lead to spoilage if you are away for months. Rotten food can also contaminate other ingredients. If you want to avoid an unpleasant smell, you need to empty the fridge. Eat everything you can that might get spoiled. It is also crucial to remove a few items that are nearing their expiration dates. If you are traveling for a long time, you can consider emptying the refrigerator and unplugging it.
Clean Your Home
Despite the length of your travel adventure, you will still return to your home. A messy property with a foul odor won’t be a pleasant experience, which is why you have to clean up before leaving. Dirty laundry and dishes can emit foul odor and rot, which means you have to deal with them.
You can forgive yourself for forgetting a few things when preparing to travel for a long time. However, it is necessary to prioritize home tasks before you start your adventure.
