You’re ready for your Holiday, but is your Home?

The tickets are booked, you’ve checked the passports are in date, you’ve bought all your sun creams, done all the necessary hair removal and self preening possible and you can’t wait to start your holiday. But what about your home? With crime on the increase and summer being the worse time for break ins have you pre-packed, pre-preened and pre-plucked your household? It’s notjust about making your home safe, there’s a whole load of things that you should do for you home before you go. Before we deflate your good mood even further, the good news is following Floorell’s pre-holiday home to-do list you’ll be ready in no time. That way, when you’re away you can relax knowing that you’ve taken care of everything back home. Because the last thing you want when you come home from a nice relaxing break is mouldy bread conducting it’s own science experiment in your bread bin.  Let’s begin…

Give yourself about a month…

You may think we’re being a little over cautious by suggesting you start about a month before your holiday, but we’re not. Realistically if you begin to think about these things a month in advance, then at least they have a better chance of getting things done, rather than leaving it all to the last minute.  Think of it as the build up to your holiday. it won’t take long and when you’re laying on the beach soaking up the sun without a care in the world, you’ll thank us for it.

First things first

A big pile of letters by your door is the perfect indicator to people that you’re not in. With identity theft on the increase you really shouldn’t leave anything with your name and address lying around. Burglars are just as likely to steal your mail as they are your jewellery. When I went away last year I used royal Mail’s Keep-safe service. It costs just £8.50 for up to 17 days. royal Mail will keep your mail for you until you return.  Or, alternatively get a friend or neighbour to pop in and collect the post for you. Head down to your local post office and ask for a leaflet or call 0845 774 0740 for more information.

Milk Delivery

If you have milk delivered let the Milkman know well in advance about being away. A simple note popped in one of your empty bottles should work.

Paper Deliveries

If you have papers/ magazines delivered, make sure you stop them for the time you are away. Visit your local newsagents to arrange it. There’s no need to announce to the world that you’re going away just say you’ll like to stop delivery for the duration of your holiday. Make sure you don’t pay for them whilst you’re away.

Pets

If you don’t have friends or family who can care for your pet then grab the yellow pages and have a look for private kennels or catteries. Search around for one you feel most comfortable with, even take your pet along for a visit. The other option is house-sitting. There are professional companies that will visit your home and feed and care for your pet in the comfort of your own home. Or, alternatively consider taking your pet with you. You just have to make sure it’s fully vaccinated. Ask you travel company for more details.

Window Cleaner

Unless you trust your window cleaner 110% then I wouldn’t mention that you’re going away, just let them know that you won’t be needing their services any more. People with ladders peering into your home at their own leisure isn’t really a good security measure. Plus you won;t be able to make sure they really have cleaning your windows whilst your away anyway. If you don’t want to come back to dirty windows then just ask a neighbour to make sure they do a good job and give them the money in advance.

Plants

If you can’t find a friend or neighbour to help out with the plants or feeding the goldfish then pop along to your local hardware store. They now have a full range of self-watering gadgets for plants that are likelittle miracle workers. Simply fill them with water and they’ll release water as and when they plant needs it. If you can’t afford it, the other option is to give them good water before you go, then sit them in the bath of shallow water.

Alarm

When was the last time you had your alarm serviced? Now’s a good time. If you haven’t got an alarm - get one fitted or if you can’t afford it simply buy one of those fake ones and stick it on the front of your house. Burglars will never know the difference.

Neighbours

It’s always a good idea to let your neighbours know you’re going away. Ask them to keep an eye out for anything suspicious, most like the fact that you trust them. Reward them with a box of chocolates or a souvenir when you get back.

Travel Insurance

Moneysupermarket.com is a great place to check you’re getting the best deal on your travel insurance. Save any receipts of things you’ve bought for your holiday, just in case your luggage does go missing and you’ve got to make a claim. I usually keep mine in an envelope. It makes claiming so much easier. Make sure your house and contents insurance is up to scratch too just in case the worse should happen.

Locks

Make sure all your locks on your doors and windows are working with no obvious signs of wear and tear. Repair any damaged ones - that includes outside gates and sheds. If you have key for them make sure they are hidden and out of sight once you’ve locked them all just before you leave.

Garden Tools

Garden toys, tools and furniture should all be locked away in a shed or garage. Leaving them out is just asking for trouble and a burglar could use them to break into your home.

Valuables

Any obvious valuables should be hidden away. Jewellery boxes, Laptops, TomToms, Xboxes, Games, Wii’s, DS,s, Mobiles hide them all away. In your sock drawer, in the loft, in the bathroom cupboard - just remember where you’ve put them.

Timers

Timers are a good way for people to think that there’s someone in the house. Tescos, Wilkinson’s, Argos and DIY stores all stock them. Set the lights to come on at times when you’d usually be around. I always set one on my radio to come on for at least an hour a day, just so people can hear voices on the house. Some people set them to their TV’s as well.

Bills

If you’re going away for longer than a month then it makes good sense to contact your gas, electric, phone suppliers to let them tally up your bill un advance. That way when you get back you won’t get any nasty letters saying how they’re going to cut you off for not paying your bill and you can avoid reconnection charges. If you know bills will be coming in whilst you’re away arrange for a direct debit to be set up.

On the day…

On the actual day (or the day before if you’re leaving really early)  you’re travelling make sure:

• You empty the fridge of any perishable goods.
• You get rid of any potatoes, onions, vegetables, fruit that doesn’t live in the fridge-  pass them on to someone who can use them.
• Empty all the bins in your home- including nay in the bathroom or bedroom.
• All half eaten boxes of cereal are sealed properly.
• The bread bin is empty.
• Nothing sticky ha been left on counters, tables or worktops.
• You wipe down all work surfaces, ovens. microwaves, fridges and rinse clothes out.
• You empty your kettle of any water in it and switch it off from the mains switch.
• Switch off all electrical appliances from the main switches except those you’ve got your timers plugged into.
• All doors and windows are locked.
• Leave a few curtains/ blinds half open - don’t close them all unless you’ve got someone to come round and open them.
• The washing machine and dryer are empty. Damp clothes will really smell after 2 weeks and will even begin to grow mould! (yes, they will)

And finally…

Make sure you have a good time!

These top tips were bought to you by Floorell www.floorell.co.uk