The annual school closures are just about upon us, and most households are starting to think about how to prepare for the holidays. According to the Seeff Property Group, whether you are away or home, you should take time to prepare for the holidays so that you can get the most out of your downtime.
Seeff lists a few pointers.
Preparing a holiday checklist can help you enjoy more downtime by planning ahead and avoiding potential problems.
- Spring clean early to avoid extra work during the holidays, especially if your housekeeper is on leave.
- Pay it forward by donating old toys and clothing to charities, or through Seeff's Home2Home Campaign.
- Plan meals in advance, draw up a menu, make freezer meals, and shop early to avoid stockouts of festive foods.
- Stock up on basics like toiletries, cleaning materials, and dry goods to reduce shopping trips or shop online for convenience.
- Do Christmas gift shopping and wrapping early to avoid facing last minute out-of-stock situations.
- Check that your tree and decorations are still in a good condition, replace what is needed, and spread festive cheer by donating what is no longer needed.
- Buy new festive decorations after Christmas to benefit from the sale prices and stock up on new decorations for next year.
- Prepare for visitors by getting guest rooms ready, washing bedding, and cleaning and stocking the rooms.
- Get your car serviced, tires checked, and caravan repaired, fill gas bottles, and stock non-perishable goods for holiday travel.
- Check home security, windows, doors, garage doors, alarm system, and exterior lighting, and consider installing timers for added security while away.
- Review household and vehicle insurance policies, check the fine print, and increase cover where necessary, to ensure adequate protection during the holidays.
- Prepare a safety checklist for your trip, including listing things like switching off utilities, setting light timers, and arranging emergency access for your home.
- Alert your Neighbourhood Watch, security company, and neighbours of your absence, and leave a set of spare keys in case of emergency.
- A house sitter can take care of your property, pets, and plants, and provide security and peace of mind during your absence.
Additional safety tups:
Below, RE/MAX of Southern Africa lists the few things homeowners should check before going away for a long weekend: (read full article publish March 2023, here)
1. Check that all security measures are in working condition
Batteries can die, screws can rust, and locking mechanisms can become faulty over time. This is why it is important to check all the home’s security features on a regular basis and not just before going away. Have your alarm serviced to ensure it is working properly. Test all locks to ensure they are in working order. Tug on all burglar bars and security gates to check that they are still properly fastened. Set off the alarm to check that it is still working as it ought to.
2. Tidy up the home’s exterior
Criminals target homes that appear to be empty. If the home’s exterior looks neglected, this could make the home a target. Make sure to empty the post box, mow the front lawn, and pull out any weeds. Before you leave, cut back any plants that are near to your outdoor security beams so that they don’t trigger your alarm while you’re away. It can also help to set your indoor lights to a timer to give the impression that somebody is still at home.
3. Arrange for house sitters
Those with pets or lots of house plants that need regular watering could arrange for a house sitter. Not only will this take care of what was left behind, but it can also deter opportunist criminals. If you do go this route, leave a list of emergency contacts and some emergency cash in case something breaks or needs urgent repairing. The person will also need their own set of keys to access the property. If you don’t have a spare set, remember to get these made before you leave.
As a final suggestion, Goslett reminds homeowners that if they will be away for longer than just the weekend, they could list the home as a short-term lease and hire a rental agent to manage the tenants while they are away. This could be a great way to earn some additional income while homeowners spend some time away from home".
READ: Is a burglar alarm enough? Security tips to protect your home
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