When holidays come round each year it can take you by surprise or you can prepare ahead with a pre holiday checklist. Alongside your summer holiday packing list these are the most important actions you need to take before leaving. In this article we offer homeowners our top 6 household items to ensure you check off your list in preparation for your hard earned annual vacation.

Of course you can always find a housesitter to help keep home occupied, but you still need to prepare your home for your absence. Read on to learn more.

Pre holiday checklist – 6 Top household items

Planning a vacation can be an exciting time, filled with anticipation and adventure. As you prepare, check these things to do at home before going on holiday. It’s essential not to overlook the importance of taking care of your household items before you leave. Preparing a pre holiday checklist of your top household items will help to ensure that everything is in order.

It will give you peace of mind during your vacation and prevent any unwanted surprises upon your return. Here are six top household items you should have checked before you embark on your well-deserved vacation.

Appliances and Electronics

Before leaving for your vacation, it’s crucial to inspect all your appliances and electronics. Even if you have a new house electricity connection, you should check the kitchen appliances such as the oven, stove, and microwave. Make sure they are turned off and unplugged to prevent any potential fire hazards or power surges.

Additionally, check that the refrigerator is empty and set to a suitable temperature to avoid food spoilage while you’re away. Emptying the refrigerator not only prevents food waste but also helps reduce energy consumption. Unplugging devices like televisions, computers, and chargers not only saves energy but also protects them from power surges or electrical issues that could occur during your absence.

Plumbing and Water Sources

Water leaks and plumbing issues can wreak havoc on your home, leading to significant damage and costly repairs. Take the time to inspect your plumbing system before you go on vacation. Check all faucets, both indoors and outdoors, for any leaks or drips. Look for signs of water damage on ceilings, walls, or floors. Ensure that toilets are flushing properly and not running continuously.

It’s also a good idea to inspect the water supply lines and valves for any signs of damage or potential problems. It is one of the things to do at home to protect your property before going on holiday. If necessary, turn off the main water supply or shut off individual valves to prevent any mishaps while you’re away.

Heating and Cooling Systems

Maintaining a comfortable temperature inside your home while you’re on vacation is important for both energy efficiency and the overall well-being of your residence. Start by inspecting your heating system. Clean or replace air filters to ensure proper airflow and efficient operation. Check the thermostat and program it to a suitable temperature to save energy and prevent any malfunctions in your absence. 

If you have a cooling system, such as an air conditioner, make sure it’s in good working condition as well. Clean or replace the air filters and set the thermostat to a higher temperature to save energy while still keeping the home at a comfortable level. This is an important item on your pre holiday checklist.

Security Measures

Your home’s security is paramount, especially when you’re away for an extended period. Take the time to review and reinforce your security measures before you leave. Start by checking all doors and windows to ensure they are securely locked. Consider installing deadbolts or additional locks if needed. If you have a home security system, ensure it is functioning correctly and armed before you go.

One of the top recommendations for our pre-holiday checklist is timers for lights, radios, or TVs. Using these around the house you can create the appearance that someone is home if you don’t have anyone living at home like a house sitter.

Inform a trusted neighbor or friend about your absence, providing them with your contact information in case of an emergency. They can keep an eye on your property and report any suspicious activity. Taking these precautions will help deter burglars and provide peace of mind while you’re enjoying your vacation.

Garbage and Waste Disposal

Your pre holiday checklist should include taking care of your garbage and waste disposal needs to maintain a clean and odor-free home. Empty all trash cans throughout the house, including the kitchen, bathrooms, and any other rooms. It is one of the vital things to do before going on holiday.

Dispose of any perishable food items to prevent unpleasant odors from lingering in your absence. If your vacation coincides with the regular garbage collection day, make sure to put out the bins before you leave.  If you’ll be away for an extended period, consider asking a neighbor or friend to help by putting out the garbage bins on the appropriate days. A clean and odor-free home is always welcoming upon your return.

Mail and Deliveries

An overflowing mailbox or packages left on your doorstep can signal to potential thieves that your home is unoccupied. To avoid this, take the necessary steps to ensure that your mail and deliveries are handled appropriately while you’re away. Start by placing a hold on your mail through the postal service.

They can hold your mail at the local post office until your return or arrange for it to be forwarded to an alternate address. If you receive regular deliveries, such as newspapers or magazines, suspend the service temporarily or ask a neighbor or friend to collect them for you. By taking these measures, you maintain the appearance that someone is home and minimize the risk of theft.

Find a housesitter

Looking for a housesitter can help you manage your property and pets in your absence. This might be essential if you have an extended holiday planned. They can offer a reliable housesitting and garden sitting service at very little cost to you.

Depending on your property and indeed the assortment of pets you have you may need a specific type of housesitter. So it is worth adding ‘find a housesitter’ to your pre holiday checklist.

Housesitter to the rescue

To make this pre holiday transition even easier for you and your pet, consider sourcing or hiring a pet house sitter. These individuals work by solely looking after your pet inside your home while you continue to make the most out of life outside. And they can take care of any household duties, manage the equipment at home, and there is a human in place just in case something goes wrong. 

What will a housesitter do for me ?

A housesitter can do many things that you would do to care for home and pets in your absence:

• Petcare in the pet’s own home
• Garden care – ensure pots and vegetable gardens are watered, and the grass is cut
• Cleaning and tidying the home
• Collect and manage post for you
• Keep the home looking occupied
• Handle any pet care emergencies
• Manage an unexpected crisis at home – e.g. burst pipes during a cold snap in Winter.

Garden sitting is also a useful service of a housesitter

Securing the services of a pet house sitter is an important additional step in the pre holiday checklist. It can be very beneficial as it doesn’t require your pet to travel from your house, reducing their stress and anxiety.

After you found the best movers and successfully settled in your new house, make sure that you find a good pet house sitter by following these tips:

Join one of the best house sitting websites to check online listings 

The reason online networks like HouseSitMatch.com exist is to facilitate matches between home and pet owners and checked sitters who can help you care for your pets and property when you can’t.  And it doesn’t have to cost much at all. These networks are easy to join you simply register online, create a profile and then create an advert which describes your dates for the assignment, your pets and what is required.

The network will then share your assignment advert with the registered sitters and then they apply. While this is not a fool proof way to find a sitter it can help you save a lot of money because largely these housesitting websites offer free a housesitter if you can offer free accommodation. And your home is occupied and the pets cared for at the same time. It’s an easy add to your pre travel checklist!

Your pre holiday checklist of household items in summary

By managing your pre holiday checklist with these top household items before your vacation, you can ensure a worry-free getaway and a smooth return to a well-maintained home. And of course you can always find a checked housesitter to simply take over and care for your pets at the same time.

Taking the time to prepare a pre holiday checklist for essential tasks will give you peace of mind and allow you to fully enjoy your vacation, knowing that everything at home is in order.  So, make your vacation preparations complete by considering these crucial household items, and set off on your adventure with confidence!

Further reading about how to find housesitters

At Housesitmatch.com we like to share useful blogs and practical advice about home security, housesitting and pet sitting, housesitters and petsitters. We hope you find this small selection of our blogs useful.

Top Tips for finding a good housesitters

Housesitters keep pets safe at home and save money

What a housesitter does – Top 10 responsibilities

The Affordable Alternative to Dog Kennels

What is Housesitting?