Vacation Checklist: To-Dos Before Leaving Home

Here is a vacation checklist that covers all of the things you should do before leaving home:

• Put your mail on hold
• Turn off your water supply at your main water cutoff
• Put one or more house lights on a timer and schedule it for early morning and evening hours
• Let a trusted neighbor know you will be gone and to call the police if they see any activity at your house
• Find pet care or give extra food and water to your pet
• Create a packing list and confirm you packed everything you need
• Check in online and print out your boarding passes to save time at the airport
• Print out your itinerary and relevant maps
• Pack ID’s for all travelers (including babies)
• Store copies of your ID’s in your carry-on bag or online (attached to an email in your email account)
• Bring your any relevant electronic chargers (and international converter if needed)
• Purchase travel insurance
• Update your work voice mail and email out-of-office notification
• Put your valuables in a hiding place (jewelry, laptops, cameras, etc.) if leaving them home
• Confirm your flight status before you leave
• Check the weather at your destination – make sure that you packed the right clothing
• Give your itinerary to a friend or family member
• Create a list of all credit/debit cards and contact numbers and store it in your email account
• Unplug all electronic devices
• Don’t leave anything running (washing machine, washer, drier, etc.)
• Make sure all of your doors are locked

If you are traveling abroad, add these items to your vacation checklist:

• Make sure you have a passport and that your passport has not expired
• Get any immunizations that you need for your destination
• Pack your yellow card
• Get an international drivers license
• Pack extra passport photos if you might need them for foreign visas
• Confirm visa requirements for your destination and get the necessary visas
• Check your destination for any travel warnings
• Plan your transportation needs at your destination in advance and have an idea of how you will be able to obtain local currency upon your arrival if you need local currency to pay for the transportation
• Register with the US State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program if you are traveling abroad
• Purchase local currency if needed or determine whether your debit card will work at cash machines abroad
• Get traveler’s checks
• Notify your credit card company of your destinations and travel timelines 

Did I miss anything? What else do you suggest before leaving home?

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.