There is nothing more exciting than the week before you go on a vacation. You begin to think about all the fun you will have and how relaxing it will be to get away for a whole week. What people don't always expect is how stressful it can be to make sure you have everything taken care of in preparation for the trip. It's easy to forget things when you're scrambling around the day before you leave to make sure everything is good to go. Here are 5 things to double check before leaving on vacation.
Double Check Your Car
Few things are as scary as having car trouble when you're on a road trip. Trying to fix mechanical problems on the side of a busy interstate or a deserted back road is enough to put a serious damper on your fun. Before you leave, check (or have a professional check) your brakes, oil, fluids and tires to be sure there aren't any problems waiting to happen. A check up with a professional mechanic will be sure to ease road trip worries. It's also a good idea to look into AAA if you don't already happen. Even if your car checks out fine that doesn't mean you can't get a flat tire on the trip. You will thank yourself later when you don't have to unpack the entire trunk to get to the spare tire and jack on the side of the road.
Don't Let You Mail Pile Up
Burglars often check mailboxes in an effort to determine if a house is empty. Those with days' worth of mail piled up give a clear signal that the homeowner is away. Before you leave, make arrangements with the post office to hold your mail or ask a neighbor to pick it up daily. This will also prevent scammers from going through your mail and gaining access to potential sensitive information.
Safeguard Your House
When you're going on vacation, it is wise to safeguard your house before you leave. Unplug counter top appliances and television sets, so they don't become victims of lightning while you're gone. Turn off the water to your washing machine to prevent flooding and lock the gate to your pool (if you have one), so no animals or children are accidentally harmed. You may want to set your thermostat accordingly to the time of year you are leaving. It is recommended in the summer to keep your thermostat around 75 degrees and your heat at around 55 in the winter in order to maintain your home and keep the electricity bill down that week you will be away.
Make Arrangement for Your Pets
If you aren't bringing your pets with you to Sandbridge, make arrangements with a friend or kennel. Be sure that your pets' shots are up to date and that whoever is keeping them has any medicine or special food they need. If you happen to be bringing your fur family make sure you pack dog food, water, and a leash. Don't forget to take bathroom breaks during the trip. For more
tips on traveling with pets see our top 10 list.
Plan Ahead For Your Meds
Make a list of any medications you or your family members are on and get refills if need be. This will save you from the unnecessary stress of calling your doctor and trying to get a prescription transferred and filled in a place you are not familiar with.Save you and your family from trouble and panic by double-checking these five things before you leave for your vacation. Knowing these are taken care of will give you peace of mind and allow you to have a more relaxing visit to Sandbridge Beach!
