| Getting ready for a vacation can be a hassle. You | | | | 14. Clean out the refrigerator. |
| have to decide what you are going to bring, pack | | | | 15. Turn off the ice cube maker if your |
| these items, and protect your home while you | | | | refrigerator has one. |
| are gone. Your goal is to make it look like you are | | | | 16. Unplug the coffee pot. |
| home and living life as usual. This handy checklist | | | | 17. Check the stove and make sure nothing is |
| does just that. Put the list on the refrigerator | | | | turned on. |
| door and check off the items one-by-one. | | | | 18. Delete old messages from your phone so |
| 1. Give your schedule and contact information to | | | | there is room for new ones. |
| family members or a trusted friend. | | | | 19. Turn off the water softener if you have one. |
| 2. Tell a trusted neighbor about your trip and ask | | | | 20. Make sure all water faucets are turned off |
| him or her to watch the place. | | | | completely and no toilets are running. |
| 3. Get an Authorization to Hold Mail card, fill it out, | | | | 21. Adjust blinds, shades, and curtains. Do not |
| and give it to a post office employee. If you have | | | | close them completely, though, because this |
| arural mailbox do NOT include the card with | | | | makes it look like you are gone. |
| outgoing mail. | | | | 22. Lock all doors, storm/screen doors, windows, |
| 4. Separate financial information. File your check | | | | and service doors. |
| book in one place, new checks in another, | | | | 23. Put a burglar bar in patio and/or sliding doors. |
| andcancelled checks or information in yet another. | | | | 24. Attach light timers to lamps. |
| 5. Destroy purchase receipts. | | | | 25. Attach a timer to the television and set it for |
| 6. Check your calendar and make sure no | | | | the hours you usually watch tv. |
| deliveries are scheduled. | | | | 26. Set the thermostat. |
| 7. Stop the newspaper. | | | | 27. If you are leaving a car in the garage, lock this |
| 8. Arrange for lawn mowing and watering. | | | | car. |
| 9. Arrange for snow plowing and shoveling. | | | | 28. Run the garbage disposal so you don't have a |
| 10. Ask a relative, neighbor or friend to water | | | | stinky "welcome" when you return. |
| your plants and deliver them to this person. | | | | 29. Turn on the alarm system if you have one. |
| 11. Plan for pet care. If you need kennel space, | | | | 30. Make sure garage door is closed. |
| call two weeks before your departure andmake a | | | | You should also protect your finances. Credit card |
| reservation. | | | | companies track your spending patterns. If you |
| 12. Ask a neighbor to put garbage in YOUR can | | | | use a card in an unusual place the company may |
| on pick-up day and bring in the can when it is | | | | refuse credit. So call the company ahead of time. |
| empty. | | | | Tell them where you are going, when you are |
| 13. Dispose of garbage. Arrange for a special | | | | leaving, and when you are coming home. Bon |
| pick-up, if necessary. | | | | voyage! |