Pre-Travel Checklist [general]

General Home Preparation
> Water plants and mow lawn before leaving home or arrange for a neighbor to care for them while you're away
> Unplug any appliances sensitive to power surges, such as computers, microwaves, and television sets
> Dial your thermostat up or down to match the temperature of the season
> Stop all home-delivery services (mail, newspaper, milk, diapers, and so on) or arrange to have items picked up by a neighbor
> Arrange for pet care at a kennel or in your home
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Security
> Lock all windows and doors securely and remove any keys hidden outside the house
> Tell neighbors that you'll be away and how they can reach you in an emergency
> Turn on your telephone answering machine. You may want to change the message on your answering machine at work to let your business contacts know you are out of town
> Set lights and a radio on timers. Turn up the radio loud enough so it can be heard outside
> Close blinds and curtains
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Kitchen
> Store food in your freezer to prevent having to run to the grocery store as soon as you return home
> Remove perishable items from your refrigerator
> Empty all waste baskets & run the garbage disposal to eliminate the possibility of unpleasant odors
> Wash the dishes (You'll be sorry when you come back if you forget this!)
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Getting Your Car Ready
> Check your spare tire and jack to ensure they are both in working order
> Check oil level, tire pressure, and coolant level, and all other fluid levels
> Pack a first-aid kit and roadside emergency kit into the trunk
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Personal Preparation
> Schedule a medical check-up before the trip. (Ladies, make sure your mammogram and pap smear are up-to-date!!)
Ask your doctor about necessary vaccinations, and have any medical procedures done before you go
> Update any personal identification so that it contains current information and a photograph
> Pick up cash, change, and traveler’s checks at the bank
> Get a telephone calling card and take it with you
> Fill out and send in your tax return form if you will be out of town at the deadline
> Tell your friends where they can write to you at your vacation or out-of-town address
> Pay the rent and other bills. If you’ll be gone for an extended period of time, arrange for a friend or relative to pay the bills
> Wash clothes that you’re not packing so that you’ll have a clean set of clothes at home when you return from your trip
> Break in new shoes to prevent blisters
> pack chargers and/or extra batteries (phone, camera, laptop, etc)
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Sanity Savers
> Make a "fun bag" for each child and include games, books, toys, a tape player with headphones, and snacks
> Purchase postcard stamps to take with you
> Print address labels of people to send postcards to. It’s much lighter to carry a sheet of labels than your address book
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> take earplugs (in case your neighbors in the hotel are noisy!)

Miscellaneous
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