Start Preparing Early for Summer Vacation with These 8 Tips

Going on a summer vacation is usually a fun time for the family but getting ready to go can be a busy and hectic period for mom and dad.

The “getting ready to go” period usually overlays the normal work days of both parents and in the case of a single parent there is an even greater burden in handling the trip details.

As if our daily lives aren’t busy enough handling the final details of being away from home for one to two weeks can be overwhelming if not handled in a planned manner. There are a large number of tasks to handle, prior to leaving on an extended trip, that can be easily and effectively handled one to three weeks prior to the trip that really don’t need to be done in the day or two before going on a trip.

The key to a stress free departure is to make a list of the items to be accomplished and then arrange them in a list so that one or two items can be handled each day so that just prior to your trip you will be less busy.
Some of the items that can be handled several days or weeks prior to departure are listed below:

1. Newspaper - contact the newspaper and arrange for delivery to stop.
2. Mail - either contact the Post Office to stop your mail delivery or make arrangement with a neighbor to collect your mail.
3. Install a timer on your interior and exterior lights so that your home will appear occupied but to be able to avoid leaving the porch light on all day which is a clear sign that the home is vacant.
4. If you leave your garbage containers out at the street when you leave arrange for a neighbor to be responsible for bring them in.
5. Have your vehicle serviced including checking the battery, and replacing if it is old and tires.
6. Review your medication, you will need to take enough to get through your trip and contact your pharmacy to get them renewed early or get a few extra advanced from the next refill.
7. Go to the bank to obtain your trip cash.
8. Start preparing a list of locations hotels and locations where you can be reached in case of an emergency while you are away. It is also suggested that you take a list of family members and friends’ telephone numbers and also leave a copy with whomever you asked to help look after your home while you are away.