Holiday Preparation?

[EcclesCake]

Inspired by a thread about whether to empty and switch off the fridge freezer I was wondering what preparation/precautions others make prior to going on holiday?

I empty the fridge of stuff that is likely to go off, water the plants,check the house is secure and that's about it.

I'm now wondering if I'm lazy, negligent or a good assessor of risk?!?!

[anneasquith]

yep..............lazy :) :)

[ummmm]

I have always either had someone else living with us or someone has come and stayed here if we're not taking the kids with us. So no preparations needed.

[rockyracoon]

I get rid of any milk or anything that's likely to reek by the the time we get back and I lock all doors and windows. That's about it.

Oh yeah, mum comes round to pick up letters from the porch and shove them in the letter box in the front door, that way it doesn't look like the place is empty.

[kloofnek]

Me too...When I go away for say three or more weeks,I leave a key,jewellery case,laptops etc.with my neighbour.Empty fridge or perishables,top up the electric meter (prepay).Lock windows ,set timerswitches placing a lamp in front of the window(not too near if you have nets or voiles).The reason for this is ,it is difficult to see past the light into the room.
Plants...there are gadgets which keep them watered,if not,ask neighbour if they would be so kind as to do it...bring them a big pressie back.
This is,in my case,if all the family are going together.
Otherwise,no need for the "military operation"

We tend to go away in the winter months(being summer at our destination),so the garden is not a problem.

[daffy654]

No preparations needed as I never go on holiday :)

[kloofnek]

I think you might have the right idea...I dread the packing and going through the rigamole(spelt wrong,I know),I have said...but once I have left the house,I am OK.

[pusskin]

Empty fridge of milk, anything that goes off quick.
Set timers in lounge, conservarory.
My three neighbours know were away and keep an eye.
Put as many pots in the garden, in the shade and hope for the best.
One neighbour pops in every day or few days to take away mail that can be seen from our front door. Good to have good neighbours.

[sherrardk]

Chuck out any food that will go off. If term time, book school dinners for day after our return. Friend comes round to feed the rabbits and pick up post.

[EcclesCake]

Thanks Rocky, I feel comforted that you do much the same as me, I forgot about the neighbour who pops in to clear the post from the door.

Kloof, I'm intrigued that you pass the burden of looking after your valuables to a neighbour, that has never occurred to me. The only plants I water are my cacti, the garden fends for itself and the veggies are irrigated.

One of my neighbours has lights coming on on timers, I've never really understood the benefit as in my experience would be burglars ring the door bell and if someone answers they give a cockamamie story about why they are calling.

[pusskin]

P.S. We always turn our water supply off too in case of bursts.

[rockyracoon]

Wow Puss, you really go for it :). I'm far too busy being idle to do anything else.

[pusskin]

Ha ha you reckon rocky?
In march we went to Auusie for a month, and his majesty decided to turn the gas off --bad mistake.
When we arrived home we found we had no hot water or heating and had to spend £'s to get it all sorted out.
We had only just got our boiler maintained and then that happens.
Wont be doing that again. HIS fault lol

[kloofnek]

My neighbours are good elderly couple and have lived next door to them for 21 years,they have been there over 50.

[kloofnek]

last post refers to Eccles remark.

[kloofnek]

pusskin...I made that mistake once...had to call the gas man out to light it for...it was the old-fashioned Combi with a pilot light...what a mess...just like you said,,no hot water and no heating!!!

[Prudie]

I tidy the whole house, it's the only time it's really clean - for the burglars you know

[EcclesCake]

Kloof, my only concern with your arrangement is that would either of the two households have insurance to cover the loss.

Although as your neighbours are elderly they are likely home much of the time and the risk of a burglary is reduced.

Prude, I only clean the house when the in-laws visit, which is thankfully rarely!

[B00]

Am I the only one who puts clean bedding on the beds ready for our return? I always empty a full bottle of bleach down the loo too, as its got time to clean without some ingrate going on it and flushing it away!

[Caran]

Boo I do the bed and the loos. I also freeze whatever is left in the fridge, ie vegetables, milk, and anything else that will freeze as I can't stand waste. We also have lights on timers

[craft1948]

I empty the fridge, the cleaner comes in while I'm away so everything is fresh and clean when I come back. The daughter comes in and checks the post for anything urgent (when I do go away it's for a minimum of 3 weeks as I can't be arsed for anything shorter than that)