# Before vacation checklist

> Before a vacation, arrange mail, pets and plants a week ahead, then on the last day empty the fridge, take out the trash, unplug small appliances, turn off the water supply if you'll be gone long, set the thermostat, lock every window and door, and confirm you have your passport, tickets and keys. Doing it from a written list stops you from relying on a rushed memory.

Leaving for a week or two is different from leaving for the day. Things that don't matter over eight hours start to matter over ten days: food in the fridge, a dripping tap, a dark house with mail piling up on the step. And you can't nip back to check once you're at the airport.

This list is split by timing. Some jobs need a few days' notice, some belong on the last evening, and a handful happen in the final ten minutes before you lock the door. That last group is the one people doubt on the plane, so slow down for it.

## A week or more before

- [ ] Passport valid for at least six months past your return date (Many countries require this.)
- [ ] Visas or travel authorizations sorted
- [ ] Pet sitter or boarding booked
- [ ] Someone lined up to water plants or check on the house
- [ ] Mail hold requested, or a neighbor collecting it
- [ ] Paused or rescheduled grocery and package deliveries
- [ ] Bank and card provider told about foreign travel, if they ask for it
- [ ] Enough of any prescription medication to last the trip, plus a few days
- [ ] Travel insurance bought, if you want it

## Packing

- [ ] Passport and ID [worth a photo]
- [ ] Tickets, boarding passes and booking confirmations
- [ ] Medication in your carry-on, in original packaging [worth a photo]
- [ ] Phone charger and travel adapter
- [ ] Wallet with cards and some local currency
- [ ] Glasses or contact lenses
- [ ] House keys for when you come back
- [ ] Copies of important documents, saved somewhere you can reach offline

## The day before

- [ ] Fridge cleared of milk, meat and anything that will spoil
- [ ] Trash and recycling out, bins emptied
- [ ] Dishwasher and washing machine emptied and left open to air
- [ ] Plants watered and moved out of direct sun
- [ ] Spare key left with a trusted neighbor or friend
- [ ] Timer set on a lamp or two so the house doesn't sit dark
- [ ] Valuables locked away or out of sight from windows

## Switch off and unplug

- [ ] Stove and oven off [worth a photo]
- [ ] Coffee maker, toaster and kettle unplugged [worth a photo]
- [ ] Iron, straightener and curling iron unplugged [worth a photo]
- [ ] TV, computer and game consoles unplugged (Saves standby power and protects against storm surges.)
- [ ] Space heaters off and unplugged [worth a photo]
- [ ] Thermostat set to an away temperature (In winter, keep it warm enough that pipes won't freeze.) [worth a photo]
- [ ] Water heater set to vacation mode, if it has one

## Water

- [ ] All taps off, inside and out [worth a photo]
- [ ] Washing machine supply valves closed [worth a photo]
- [ ] Main water shutoff closed for longer trips (Leave it on if you have a fire sprinkler system or a sitter who needs it.) [worth a photo]
- [ ] Toilets not running

## Last ten minutes

- [ ] Every window closed and latched, including upstairs [worth a photo]
- [ ] Blinds or curtains left in a normal position
- [ ] Back door and patio door locked [worth a photo]
- [ ] Garage door closed and locked [worth a photo]
- [ ] Lights off, except any on a timer
- [ ] Passport in your hand or bag, one final look [worth a photo]
- [ ] Front door locked [worth a photo]

## Tips

- Don't post your trip on social media until you're home. An empty house plus a public date range is an easy target.
- Print or screenshot this list and tick it off on the last evening, instead of doing it all in the morning rush.
- For the final ten minutes, go room by room in the same order as you would on a normal day. Your routine already knows the route.
- If you tend to doubt things on the plane, take a photo of the main water valve, the stove and the locked front door as you go. One look at the airport is enough.
- Leave a note with your sitter or neighbor saying where the water shutoff and breaker box are, in case something goes wrong while you're away.

## Questions people ask

### Should I turn off the water when going on vacation?

For trips longer than a few days, closing the main shutoff is a good idea, since a burst pipe in an empty house can run for days. Leave it on if you have a fire sprinkler system or someone visiting who needs it.

### What should I unplug before going on vacation?

Anything that heats up, plus electronics you won't use: coffee makers, toasters, irons, straighteners, TVs, computers and game consoles. Leave the fridge, freezer and any security system plugged in.

### What temperature should I leave my house at on vacation?

Set it a few degrees above or below your usual setting to save energy. In cold climates, keep it warm enough to stop pipes from freezing; around 55°F (13°C) is a common minimum.

### How do I stop worrying that I left something on after leaving for vacation?

Use a written list on the last day, check the risky items slowly, and take a photo of the ones you tend to doubt. If a neighbor has a key, ask them to look in once.

### How far in advance should I prepare for a vacation?

Start a week or two ahead for passports, pet care, mail and medication. The house itself can wait until the last day or two.

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Source: https://getoneloop.app/checklists/before-vacation
One Loop for iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/one-loop-proof-you-did-it/id6802970270