The Smart Traveler's Guide to Home Preparation

Preparing your home before you travel is essential for peace of mind. Taking a few simple steps can protect your property and create a welcoming environment when you return.

This is not a comprehensive checklist that will apply to everyone and every home. Take this list and adapt it for yourself. Think of it as a solid starting point.

Notify a trusted neighbor you’ll be away

Letting a neighbor know about your travel plans adds an extra layer of security to your home. A watchful neighbor can notify law enforcement about potential break-ins and handle unexpected issues that may come up during your absence.

Emergency contacts

Make a list of emergency contacts and share it with your trusted neighbor. Include your phone number, email address, and the contact details of a local friend or family member who can assist if needed.

Provide the dates of your trip and your destination in case they need to reach you urgently.

Leave a spare key

Entrusting a spare key to your neighbor is a smart precaution. They can check on your home periodically to make sure everything is in order. A neighbor with access can water plants, feed pets, or pick up important mail or packages.

small grey bungalow-style house with a porch and white trim

Make arrangements for your mail

If you don’t want a friend or neighbor to collect your mail, that’s understandable, but you shouldn’t let it pile up while you’re away.

Put a hold on your mail delivery. You can easily request this service from the post office online. They’ll pause delivery and hold your mail for up to 30 days.

Remember to pause any other regular deliveries like subscription boxes. You don’t want them piling up on your doorstep!

Check the refrigerator for perishable food

Before you jet off on your adventure, take a moment to peek inside your fridge. It’s crucial to remove any perishable items that might spoil while you’re away.

Toss out or consume anything close to its expiration date.

Don’t forget about those hidden corners! Give your fridge a thorough once-over to ensure you haven’t missed anything.

For longer trips, consider freezing items that can freeze and reheat well. This way, you’ll have some food ready when you return.

If you’re going to be gone for an extended period, now is a great time to give the refrigerator shelves and drawers and quick wash down. It’s so nice to come home to a clean fridge.

Take care of dirty dishes

Next, we’re going to tackle those dirty dishes in your kitchen. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.

We like to load up the dishwasher and run it overnight before we depart for our trip. Before we leave we put away all those clean dishes. We then handwash, dry, and put away anything we use the in morning for breakfast. Lastly, I wipe down the counters and the sink.

This way we come home to a clean and tidy kitchen. Also if no dirty dishes are hanging out in the dishwasher it’s less likely to attract pests.

Take out all trash

Don’t forget to take out all the trash before you leave for your trip. This simple task can make a big difference when you return home.

Start by collecting garbage from every room in your house. Check bathrooms, bedrooms, and even your home office for any waste that needs to be disposed of. And of course, the kitchen trash needs to go out as well.

Remember to gather recyclables too. Rinse out bottles and cans before placing them in the appropriate bins.

On the day of your departure, do one final sweep of your home. Collect any last-minute trash and take all garbage bags out to your outdoor bins.

Ask a neighbor to take your garbage cans out to the curb on trash pick-up day and bring them back in if necessary.

By removing all trash before you leave, you’ll prevent unpleasant odors and potential pest problems. Plus, you’ll come home to a fresher, cleaner space after your travels.

Woman's hand holds a banana peel over a kitchen trash can. There is also a can holding aluminum cans and another of mixed paper products.

Do some basic cleaning

Aside from the things we’ve already discussed, like taking care of your dirty dishes and taking out the trash, I like to do at least a little basic cleaning before I leave for a trip of more than just a few days.

If you don’t have time to clean clean, at least do a little tidying or straightening up. Coming home to a tidy house is just so much more pleasant than coming home to a mess.

Adjust your home’s climate

Setting your thermostat correctly before you leave can save energy and money. We don’t have a system that we can program or control with an app. We’re old school like that.

In summer, we aim to keep our home cool enough to prevent excess humidity without wasting energy. For winter trips, we set the temperature lower than usual. But we want to keep the pipes from freezing and keep our cat safe, of course.

If you also have pets staying behind, adjust accordingly to keep them comfortable. Plant parents will also need to consider what temperatures will help their in-home garden do well even while they’re away.

Unplug appliances

Before you leave, take a moment to unplug some (nonessential) appliances around your home. This simple step can save energy and protect your electronics from potential power surges.

We focus on the small kitchen appliances and unplug our coffee maker, microwave, and electric kettle.

For trips of more than a few days, Hubby will switch off the breakers for the dishwasher, oven, water heaters (we have two), the washing machine, and the dryer.

Consider unplugging small appliances in bathrooms too. Hair dryers, electric toothbrushes, water flossers, and shavers can all be disconnected.

By taking these steps, you’ll not only lower your energy bills but also reduce the risk of electrical fires.

Secure all windows and doors

Before heading out on your travels, it’s crucial to secure all entry points to your home. You might think all of your windows are locked, but if you check them all yourself before you leave for your trip then you will know for certain.

Start by checking every window and door, ensuring they’re locked tight. Don’t forget about less obvious spots like basement windows or pet doors.
For sliding glass doors, it might be a good idea to add an extra layer of protection by placing a sturdy dowel or security bar in the track.
Double-check your garage door too. Make sure it’s closed and locked and that the interior door leading into your house is also locked.

Secure outdoor items

In the midst of taking care of things inside your home before a trip, don’t neglect to think about outside your home.

Take a quick tour of your yard and patio to identify any loose items that could become projectiles in stormy weather. Gather up lightweight furniture like plastic chairs, umbrellas, and cushions. Store them securely in a shed or garage or bring them indoors.
For heavier items you can’t move easily, consider using tie-downs or bungee cords to anchor them in place.
Bicycles, garden tools, and toys should all be stowed away.
Don’t leave out ladders or anything else that could make it easier for someone with nefarious motives to gain entry to your house.
Lock up lawnmowers, weed trimmers, and other valuable equipment in a secure shed or garage. This not only protects them from weather damage but also deters potential thieves.
Don’t leave spare keys hidden outside – it’s best to leave them with a trusted friend or neighbor instead.

For extended travel

Arrange for lawn and/or garden care

Ask a trusted neighbor or hire a professional service to mow your lawn regularly.
Set up automatic sprinklers or arrange for someone to water your plants.

Make sure bills are paid

Avoid late fees and service interruptions by reviewing your finances before departure.

Review due dates and pay any bills that will come due during your trip.
You can set up automatic payments for bills like utilities, mortgage or rent payments, and credit cards.
If they require it, inform your bank and credit card companies about your travel plans to prevent any issues with your accounts.

The bottom line

Preparing your home before you travel is essential for a worry-free vacation. By following the tips outlined in this article, you’ll give yourself some peace of mind and make sure your home will be okay until your return. You’ll be able to relax and enjoy your trip knowing your home is well taken care of.

The Smart Traveler’s Guide to Home Preparation