Planning Hints & Tips: Part One:
1. For starters:
ü Install the best Locks available, including for windows.
ü Have adequate motion sensor lighting on your driveway, under the eaves, and in the back garden
ü Pre-plan for a smooth take-off and return!
And……..
2. Remove your Spare Key: We all have one hidden somewhere! If people realise you’re away they’ll look under the doormat, flowerpot, inside your shoes and won’t be fooled by the plastic rock. (yes, we’ve all used those spots!)
3. Newsagent: Surprisingly obvious, but many forget to cancel the newspapers…. or the newsagent forgets! Cancel or suspend your order & leave details of your subscription with Guardian Angel Concierge (nb if you placed your order through Fairfax/News Corp, they will credit/add the time away to the end of your subscription period.)
4. Postal Mail: Depending on the Options Package you have chosen, several things to do:
a. Parcel authority for me to collect on your behalf from the post office
b. Two lists of mail - those you'd like me to scan & email, and items just to hold for your rerturn.
5. Home Telephone/answering machine: fast becoming a dinosaur, but many of us still have a land line, so don’t leave an outgoing message indicating your home is unattended.
6. Email: Similarly unless a company email address, don’t leave a “vacation message” on your personal email
7. Social Media: Safer not to talk about your holiday plans on line, and/or restrict access to close family/friends so you can upload your photos during your travels
8. The Fridge is best emptied of all perishables. And, consider turning off your ice-maker, water chiller too (as an added check against water damage if it fails)
9. Washing & Dishwasher Machine: turn taps off! Water damage is in top 10 most insurance claims!
10. Unplug Electronics: This avoids damage through power surges, and is cost effective to stop standby power usage.
11. Lights on Timer: It is practical to have at least one light or lamp on a timer, so that your home is not in complete darkness
12. Draw the curtains: This is debatable, but certainly window drapes facing the street should be drawn; and perhaps any particular windows which would show expensive portable electronics etc to anyone peeping in. My Rule of thumb is to draw the ones I would normally, and leave those I don’t.
13. The Neighbours – Tell them who will be looking after your property in your absence. We recommend not asking them to manage specifics but depending on your relationship, they may offer to bring in council waste bins etc.
Want more General Tips? Use the contact form to ask for more!
ü Install the best Locks available, including for windows.
ü Have adequate motion sensor lighting on your driveway, under the eaves, and in the back garden
ü Pre-plan for a smooth take-off and return!
And……..
2. Remove your Spare Key: We all have one hidden somewhere! If people realise you’re away they’ll look under the doormat, flowerpot, inside your shoes and won’t be fooled by the plastic rock. (yes, we’ve all used those spots!)
3. Newsagent: Surprisingly obvious, but many forget to cancel the newspapers…. or the newsagent forgets! Cancel or suspend your order & leave details of your subscription with Guardian Angel Concierge (nb if you placed your order through Fairfax/News Corp, they will credit/add the time away to the end of your subscription period.)
4. Postal Mail: Depending on the Options Package you have chosen, several things to do:
a. Parcel authority for me to collect on your behalf from the post office
b. Two lists of mail - those you'd like me to scan & email, and items just to hold for your rerturn.
5. Home Telephone/answering machine: fast becoming a dinosaur, but many of us still have a land line, so don’t leave an outgoing message indicating your home is unattended.
6. Email: Similarly unless a company email address, don’t leave a “vacation message” on your personal email
7. Social Media: Safer not to talk about your holiday plans on line, and/or restrict access to close family/friends so you can upload your photos during your travels
8. The Fridge is best emptied of all perishables. And, consider turning off your ice-maker, water chiller too (as an added check against water damage if it fails)
9. Washing & Dishwasher Machine: turn taps off! Water damage is in top 10 most insurance claims!
10. Unplug Electronics: This avoids damage through power surges, and is cost effective to stop standby power usage.
11. Lights on Timer: It is practical to have at least one light or lamp on a timer, so that your home is not in complete darkness
12. Draw the curtains: This is debatable, but certainly window drapes facing the street should be drawn; and perhaps any particular windows which would show expensive portable electronics etc to anyone peeping in. My Rule of thumb is to draw the ones I would normally, and leave those I don’t.
13. The Neighbours – Tell them who will be looking after your property in your absence. We recommend not asking them to manage specifics but depending on your relationship, they may offer to bring in council waste bins etc.
Want more General Tips? Use the contact form to ask for more!
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