Departures > Before You Leave

This site is mostly about what to pack (and what not to). I would be remiss, though, if I did not include mention of those important but easily forgotten tasks that people often neglect to take care of before setting off on their grand adventures. So, as part of my ongoing campaign to reduce travel anxiety, here's a list of things you might want to do before you leave (depending on the length of your trip):

  • Make sure that someone knows your travel plans, and can deal with emergencies (do they have a key?) in your absence.
  • Suspend your mail delivery.
  • Cancel your newspaper delivery.
  • Inform your credit card issuer(s) of your travel dates & locations; they might suspend your account(s) when unexpected charges appear from far afield.
  • Make arrangements for the care of any pets in your charge.
  • Adjust your thermostat settings as appropriate.
  • Clean your toilets, and anything else prone to "growing" stuff when you're not around.
  • Dispose of your garbage.
  • Water your plants.
  • Check your refrigerator & other storage locations for food that could spoil.
  • Schedule the payment of any bills that might come due during your trip.
  • Inspect all your doors and windows to ensure that they are secure; garage doors can be "locked" by inserting a large bolt through one of the tracks in which the door rides (there are usually holes for this; if not, drill one). If you use an alarm service, notify them of your plans, and let them know who to contact for emergencies.
  • Unplug stuff (don't just turn it off); your computers will be safer and more rested, and there's no reason to pay for electricity to keep your remote controls Don't forget!functional while you're away.
  • Turn off taps, on washing machines and anything else that could leak or freeze while unattended.
  • Clean the gutters; water is not always your friend.