Pre-Trip Preparation Check List

Part of planning for a safe trip is planning for the care of things you’ll be leaving behind such as your house and your pets. There can be a lot to do and it helps if you have a checklist. Leave yourself plenty of time to get everything done so you don’t feel overwhelmed as the trip approaches.

This list is just a place to start. Everyone has different needs. Be my guest and make your own notes and adjustments as you move forward toward your departure date.

One month before departure:

1) If you don’t have one, set up an email account that you can access worldwide. Sites like Yahoo and Gmail will work. (Important: Don’t use symbols for your new account ID or password. On a foreign keyboard you might have trouble finding the symbols. If your current email address has symbols, you might want to set up a new one, that contains only letters and numbers, just for traveling.)

If the email service is new to you, give yourself some time to learn how to use it. Set up your Contacts in the address book. If the system you are using allow it, set up Groups so that one TO: will send to a group of people. Even if you can’t set up a Group, having your Contacts already in the address book will save you from searching for an @ on a strange keyboard.

2) Most international ATM machines use a 4 digit PIN. If you don’t have one, arrange with your bank to be assigned one. Know your PIN by the digits, not the letters. Some international ATM machines have only digits on the keys.

3) Plan on taking two credit cards in case you have a problem with one. Call your credit card banks and your debit card bank and tell them when you’ll be away and where. If it looks like strange activity to the bank, and they don’t know you are away from home, the bank could deny your charges.

4) Get a money wallet to hold your extra cash, passport and important documents.

5) Check the condition of your luggage. Are the zippers in good condition? Distinguish it from all the other suitcases out there with anything from colored tape to a yarn bow on the handle to colored luggage straps. While all of the previous will work to help set your luggage apart from the rest, the luggage straps will also help keep your suitcase closed if there is a zipper problem.

6) Have a pet? Make arrangements whether it’s a kennel or house sitting.

7) Confirm air, car and hotel reservations. If you’ll be driving your car, give it a check up.

8) Do you have the right clothes for your destination? If not, time to go shopping.

One week before departure

9 )If you get the newspaper delivered, call to have it put on vacation stop.

10) Either arrange for a neighbor to collect your mail or put it on hold. If you decide to put it on hold, you can do it at the USPS web site: : http://www.usps.com/

11) Leave emergency contact information with trusted friends/neighbors/relatives.

12) Check your supply of medications. Do you have enough for the entire trip plus a few extras in case of emergency? If not, get your prescriptions refilled.

13) Put all of your documentation into one folder. Include copies of any reservations you have, copies of your passports, maps, emergency phone numbers, eyeglass and medication prescriptions. This folder goes into your carryon, along with your medications.

14) Don’t forget to pack any power cables you might need. And don’t forget the extra batteries and extra memory cards or film.

Two days and counting:

15) If you have timers for your house lights, now is the time to set them up to make sure they turn on and off properly. Don’t have any? Head out, buy at least two and set them up.

16) Check the current weather at your destination AND the forecast.

17) Clean out your refrigerator.

One day and counting:

18) Check things with your pet sitter or take your pet to the kennel.

19) Water your plants and adjust the house temperature. If it’s winter and your winter temperatures can go below freezing, consider shutting off the water to the house. Unplug appliances like toaster and coffee pot.

20) Prepare for your trip with a good night’s sleep.

Bon Voyage and a Safe Return