Organizing Before a Trip
TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-745 -- More Projects »
Organizing expert Pam Hix offers tips on preparing your home before leaving on a trip.
- Consider using a house sitter to watch the place while you're away on the trip, especially if you have pets.
- Have the house sitter come over in advance and pick up the keys and familiarize themselves with your home.
- Make more than one extra set of keys, and give a backup set to a neighbor or friend in case the house sitter looses their set. Write the names and phone numbers for the back up people on an index card so the sitter knows how to contact the back up. Tell the sitter to keep the index card with him or her at all times.
- Leave a list of emergency numbers, including numbers for friends or family members living nearby.
- Leave a complete itinerary of your trip, including phone numbers where you'll be staying.
- Make sure the sitter has a list of duties. Be specific on what is to be done and how to do it. Show the sitter how to work the security system, microwave, air conditioner, furnace, etc. Leave the instruction manuals out in case the house sitter needs to refer to them.
- Mark a calendar so the sitter knows when the garbage will be picked up, when to sit out recycling, and on what days the milkman delivers. Also, if you're expecting any packages, let the sitter know on what day or days to expect deliveries.
- Group items the sitter will need together. For example, put pet supplies such as the dog's leash, food, water dish and treats in one place. If there are plants to water, group them together according to how often they need to be watered. If there are special instructions, write them out on an index card, tape it to a chopstick or a straw and stick the directions in the soil of the plant.
- If you don't think you'll need a house sitter, there are still things you can do to make sure everything runs smoothly. Tell someone you're leaving, like a trusted neighbor or family member, so they can keep an eye on the house. Make sure they know your travel plans and how to get in touch.
- Check appliances to make sure they're off, and unplug things like irons, curling irons and coffeemakers.
- Go through your refrigerator and consume or toss out all perishable items before you leave. A smelly refrigerator makes for a sour homecoming.
- To make it look like someone is at home, put lamps in visible areas on a timer. Put the outside lights on timers as well. Test the lights before leaving to make sure your plan is working perfectly.
- Call the post office and the newspaper and have them hold your mail and newspaper. Give specific dates to stop and resume service. To be extra careful, don't have them restart delivery until the day after you're supposed to get back, just in case your travel plans are delayed.
- Don't come home to any nasty surprises. Make sure to pay your bills before you leave.
- Do a little light cleaning before you leave so you won't have so much to catch up on when you get home. Nothing ruins a relaxing vacation more than having to come home and clean the house.
- Catch up on all the laundry before you leave so you're ready to wash dirty vacation clothes when you get back.
Guests Pam Hix
Organization Consultant, Everything's Together Organizing Services
13012 June Terrace
Minnetonka, MN 55305-2740
Phone: 952-939-8080
E-mail:
pjhix@aol.com
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