This post provides a checklist for preparing your home ahead of a vacation.
For those interested in long-term travel preparation, refer to our guide: Travel Planning: Part Two — The Logistics of Long-Term Travel; What You Need to Do Prior to Departure
General
- Dispose of perishable refrigerated items
- Put odor absorber (baking soda) in fridge
- Unload dish washer
- Tidy kitchen counters
- Pull garbage bins in
- (Deep) water plants
- Put all items back in the places where they live
- Check mailbox
- Set thermostat
- [Seasonal] turn off the water to avoid flooding from frozen pipes bursting
- Empty trash bins & cover trash bin lids
- Turn off lights
Laundry
- Prepare laundry area for return home: make sure laundry detergent in stocked, laundry baskets are emptied, and hangers are ready
- Wash sheets
- Change bedding
- Put away laundry not going on trip
Secure
- Remove house keys external to your home
- Program external lights for morning/evening
- Program motion activated outdoor lights
- Sync video cameras to mobile devices
- Remove hide any house keys near your door
- Draw window curtains and blinds
- Remove valuables from out of sight
- Set house alarm
- Lock external doors, windows, and the garage.
Yard
- Tidy yard to make home look cared for
Animal
- Portion food
- Gather leashes
- Gather waste cleaning supplies
- Clean litter box
- Pick up animal waste
- Friend pet sitting: leave feeding notes, emergency vet information in a visible location (also text or email this information)
- Stay at kennel: confirm drop-off + pick-up instructions