TL;DR - Our version of "I'm not reading all that, *SparkNotes pls."
- Car Prep: Like a pit stop before a big race—check your tires, oil, and battery to avoid any roadside dramas.-
- Secure Your Home: Set up that "Home Alone" vibe with locked doors, timed lights, and a trusted neighbour on alert.
- Travel Documents: No one wants a "Home Alone" airport moment—make sure your passport, tickets, and insurance are ready to go.
- Pack Smart: Think of your suitcase like a game of Tetris—roll, don’t fold, and keep essentials within easy reach.
- Health & Safety: Stock up on meds and first-aid supplies, and make sure you’ve got that travel insurance handy—better safe than sorry!
You’re ready for your holiday. It’s set to be one you won’t forget. But before you go, is your checklist on point?
Before the fun and sun, it’s a good idea to double-check that you’ve dotted your I’s and crossed your T’s, leaving absolutely nothing to chance.
And what better way to ensure that everything is taken care of than with the help of a checklist?
The ultimate checklist exists to assist you with getting all your ducks in a row.
So, to avoid being stressed out over the little (and not-so-little) things while you’re away, enlist the assistance of a trusty and complete checklist to ensure that you’ve taken care of every last detail.
- Organise a house/pet sitter.
- Inform the security personnel.
- Tell a family member you’re going away.
- Lock away any valuables you aren’t taking with you.
- Make a plan for your plants.
- Holiday house cleaning.
- Take care of your electrical appliances.
- Turn off the geyser and main water valve.
- Windows and doors should be locked, and the curtains drawn.
1. Organise a house and pet sitter
Taking a break to go on holiday doesn’t mean your responsibilities will pause similarly.
Organising a sitter is a great way to guarantee your home and pets will be cared for while you’re away.
Having a person physically present in your home gives you the peace of mind of knowing someone can take care of any issue immediately if sudden hiccups should arise.
Start by asking friends, family, or neighbours if they would be willing to house-sit or if they know anyone interested in the task.
Once you’ve chosen your preferred candidate, establish your needs and provide clear instructions on how and when you’d like things done.
And lastly, provide your house-sitter with necessary supplies like pet food, cleaning supplies, and spare keys.
2. Inform the security personnel
Whether it’s a private company watching your home or the guards employed by your complex, informing the security personnel of your absence is another duty to perform before leaving.
According to Statistics South Africa, housebreaking or burglary has been the most common crime experienced by households in South Africa for several years.
Knowing you’ll be away means that your security can take extra precautions around your property, including patrols, surveillance, or alarm systems.
If there’s any suspicious activity in your home, which neither you nor they are aware of, security can act swiftly to protect your home.
3. Tell a family member you’re going away
We get it; you’re a fully independent grown-up, and alerting someone of your every move is reminiscent of high school you, and those days are long over.
But being in holiday mode is no excuse to forego this step; it’ll prove helpful later.
Let a family member know your whereabouts, and how to contact you in case of an emergency or an accident, so they can take the necessary actions to help you.
If you're going away for a longer period, letting your family know helps them assist you with caring for your pets, collecting your mail, or watching your house.
4. Lock away any valuables you aren’t taking with you
When it comes to bling, rings and all other shiny things, less is more – don't bring along more than you're willing to lose!
It’s not a zombie apocalypse, so really, there’s no reason to pack everything you own and take it with you.
Instead, keep your valuables at home and store them away in a well-hidden safe.
Emphasis on well-hidden; if the unthinkable happens and your home falls victim to a burglary, don’t make it easy for the criminals by having your safe in an easily accessible location.
5. Make a plan for your plants
Like your feathered, fuzzy and furry friends, your plants are living components of your household and should be treated with care even in your absence.
Regardless of how low or high-maintenance your plants are, they still need special attention while you’re on holiday.
Water your plants well before you leave, and consider moving them to a cooler, shadier part of your home. That way, you’ll reduce the amount of water they need.
Consider placing them under a grow light with a timer if they require sunlight. They’ll receive sufficient sunlight without being overexposed because the timer will switch the light on/off.
Alternatively, get a trusted neighbour, friend or plant-sitting service (yes, they exist) to pop in to check on your plant babies based on when they need watering, sunlight exposure etc.
6. Holiday house cleaning
Nothing puts a damper on the mood, like knowing you have a heap of housekeeping duties waiting for you when you return.
Instead, do yourself a favour by taking care of all the household chores before you go away.
Old or expired food can attract pests, rodents and bacteria, and dirty laundry and full rubbish bins cause a similar phenomenon.
Not to mention the abhorrent odour!
Throw away old food, especially where the expiry date is soon, empty all the bins in the house and do the dirty laundry.
Allow yourself to enjoy the full force of holiday euphoria by leaving your home in tip-top shape.
7. Take care of your electrical appliances
Prevent any potential hazards and ensure that your appliances continue to function correctly by unplugging them before you leave.
Especially non-essential appliances like TVs, computers and other devices.
Check your appliances for any leaks such as water for dishwashers and washing machines, and have these repaired by a trusted repair technician before your trip.
And like that one Kanye West song, All of the lights need to be switched off too. This helps to save energy and reduce the risk of a fire.
8. Turn off the geyser and main water valve
The geyser’s there to heat up cold water, and the main valve is there to supply said water to your home… but if you’re not there to enjoy these amenities, what’s the point?
Switching off the geyser is a smart, cost-effective way to save energy and reduce your electricity bill.
And turning off the main valve prevents potential water damage to your abode in case of a leak or burst pipe while you’re away.
Turning off the geyser and main valve means you don't have to worry about fires or flooding that can happen when these are left unattended for an extended period.
9. Windows and doors should be locked, and the curtains drawn
And last but not least is to have your doors and windows sealed tighter than a cookie jar in a constant dieter’s cupboard and for your curtains to be drawn better than a realism artwork.
Locked windows and doors may deter burglars from targeting your home, so it’s crucial to ensure all points of entry are secured.
And, of course, when it comes to the security of your place and possessions, there’s really no such thing as too much protection.
Speaking of protection, the best way to look out for all your stuff is by getting it insured.
Here at Pineapple, we not only cover your car, but we can also cover your things. This is called our all-risk insurance (also known as Single-item or Per-item insurance), a policy that everyone should have as it protects you in the event that your everyday items are lost, stolen or damaged.
From sunglasses, cellphones and even bicycles – an active policy is all you need, and we’ve got you covered (both in the literal and figurative sense).
Now, back to our regularly scheduled programme, we were discussing the importance of locking your windows and doors.
That goes for basement windows, sliding glass doors, and garage doors too.
And drawn curtains or blinds provide privacy and keep passersby from seeing inside your home.
Plus, drawn curtains and blinds keep the house cooler, making for a lower electricity bill. So you’d be killing two birds with one stone.
And with that said, and assuming you’ve taken care of every single item on this comprehensive checklist, all that’s left is for you to enjoy your holiday...
ANNNDDDD get a quote!
Pineapple (FSP 48650) is underwritten by Old Mutual Alternative Risk Transfer Insure Limited, a licensed Non-Life Insurer and authorised FSP. T&Cs apply. Premium is risk profile dependent.
Team Pineapple
Team Pineapple comprises our company’s top talents, who are dedicated to creating clear, high-quality content on essential vehicle insurance topics. This diverse group, including actuaries, accountants, data scientists, and insurance professionals across South Africa, collaborates to produce enlightening and empowering articles.
Each piece is thoroughly researched, factually accurate, and rigorously reviewed to ensure quality.
*We say they’re the finest because we want them to keep writing for us!
