The previous year has set records for being so terrible. People suffered due to the pandemic, whether they were infected or not. After such a troubling time, it’s only natural that people are now itching to get their lives back to normal. After experiencing tough restrictions and travel bans, everyone’s looking to book their summer vacations. In fact, airports are now breaking their records of passengers seen.
But before you pack and go, it’s important that you make sure that your house is also ready. This is crucial because it can save you money, ensure the safety of your belongings, and give you peace of mind while on vacation.
Here’s what you should do and what you should avoid before you leave:
Do: Check the Electric Appliances
Whether you’re going to be gone for a week or a month, you’ll need to inspect your devices. First, it’s for your safety. Leaving an electronic device plugged in can start shock someone or even start a fire if it overloads or overheats. Who wants to go home to tarnished house after a supposedly relaxing vacation?
Second, it can save you money. According to a study by the National Resources Defense Council, the energy consumption of appliances that have been turned off amount to more than $19 billion every year. This means that around a quarter of homes’ electricity usage comes from idle devices. While you may have turned switched off the TV with your remote, it’s still using up energy. The best way to stop it from using electricity? Unplug it.
Third, you will need them after vacation. After staying in your house the whole year, what better way to relax than going on a coastal holiday? The only problem is that you will inevitably bring home some sand from the beach whether you like it or not. So if you find that your vacuum needs fixing, it’s better to have it done before you leave.
Don’t: Go Grocery Shopping
This doesn’t mean that you should starve or avoid eating altogether. It’s more about not wasting perfectly good food. The week before you leave is check your refrigerator. Inspect the food. Your fruits and vegetables might not be good to eat anymore once you return from your holiday. You wouldn’t want to go home to a smelly fridge. Then, there’s also the fact that it would be a waste of money. In fact, research by the American Journal of Agricultural Economics has revealed that households waste almost $2,000 worth of food every year.
To avoid wasting both money and food, make a plan. List down the fruits, vegetables, and other perishable food that you have. Look for recipes that incorporate whatever you have. Naturally, you probably can’t use everything you have in one dish. But why not try making side dishes that complement your meals. You should also attempt to eat at home as much as possible so you can consume everything that might go bad while you’re on vacation. You’ll save time and money and even get to hone your cooking skills.
Do: Inspect Your Alarms
While you’re making plans, it’s best to remember Murphy’s Law: if anything can go wrong, it will. It might seem too paranoid, but this perspective allows you to consider different possibilities and outcomes of things that can happen while you’re not at home. Two of the most terrible things that can happen while you’re enjoying a vacation? A house fire or a robbery.
The good news is that these situations can be helped with the use of technology. There are now smart home security systems that have everything you possibly need. It can alert authorities if it detects burglars or invasions. There are even some models that can integrate with smoke detectors so it can contact the fire department.
Don’t: Leave Your Valuables Out in the Open
When some people pack at the last minute, they open various drawers, dressers, and cabinets. They put whatever they need in their suitcase and leave the house. It’s even worse if you leave your windows open. Your jewelry, cash, or expensive devices can catch the eye of burglars.
Pack ahead so you don’t rush. But if you can’t help it, enlist the help of your neighbor. They can check whether you left any windows or doors open after you left.
Before you leave for vacation, it’s crucial that you make sure that your home is ready for your absence as well. Consider different possibilities and get help from friends and family to check your home while you’re away.
