Home Security
Be sure that every single window and door is locked before embarking on your journey. Purchase timers so that the television and lights go on at certain times of the day. Additionally, set your home alarm and have signs in the windows and lawn letting people know there is an alarm present. Many alarm companies also offer fire protection in which the alarm signals a call to the fire department. You also don’t want your home to appear empty or to be empty. Have a trusted family member or friend come over every single day to check on the house, collect mail and to be alert to any dangerous signs.
Pet Arrangements
Who is going to be taking care of your pets while you’re away? Perhaps you are boarding them. In that case, call up the boarding facility the day before to ensure that they have your reservation. It goes without saying that you want to pick a facility with an excellent reputation. It’s unlikely that you’ll leave dogs home alone, but you may do so for other pets. Ask a trusted family member or friend to come over each day to take care of the pets. Leave a list of instructions for the person, and make sure that he or she understands the importance of not letting the pets get out of the house.
Necessary Documents/Tickets
One of the worst moments of travelers’ journeys is when they arrive at the airport only to realize that they have forgotten their tickets. As soon as you sit down in the car, be sure that these are still on your person. Checking in the house isn’t enough because you could easily misplace them between your kitchen and the car door. This same rule applies for licenses, passports and any other documents that you need for your trip.
Luggage Restrictions
You also don’t want to arrive at the bus stop or airport to discover that some of your items are simply too large. All types of public transportation have rules and regulations available to the public. If you don’t see this information listed on the establishment’s website, call to ask. There are also a number of items that you are not permitted to bring on certain modes of transportation. For example, you’ll likely have to bring travel sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner with you. Containers with more than a certain amount of liquid are generally not permitted on planes.
All of these preparations can make a person anxious to travel! However, once you’ve covered all of them, you can rest your mind knowing that everything has been taken care of. You’ll soon be on the road or in the air, and you’ll know that a trusted person will be checking up on your house and pets every day.
Author Pam Johnson enjoys traveling and blogging. She is a contributing writer for travelinsurance.org.
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