Pre-Travel Checklist [general]
General Home Preparation
; Water plants and mow lawn before leaving home or arrange for a neighbor to care for them while you're away
; Unplug any appliances sensitive to power surges, such as computers, microwaves, and television sets
; Dial your thermostat up or down to match the temperature of the season
; Stop all home-delivery services (mail, newspaper, milk, diapers, and so on) or arrange to have items picked up by a neighbor
; Arrange for pet care at a kennel or in your home
;
Security
; Lock all windows and doors securely and remove any keys hidden outside the house
; Tell neighbors that you'll be away and how they can reach you in an emergency
; Turn on your telephone answering machine. You may want to change the message on your answering machine at work to let your business contacts know you are out of town
; Set lights and a radio on timers. Turn up the radio loud enough so it can be heard outside
; Close blinds and curtains
;
Kitchen
; Store food in your freezer to prevent having to run to the grocery store as soon as you return home
; Remove perishable items from your refrigerator
; Empty all waste baskets &; run the garbage disposal to eliminate the possibility of unpleasant odors
; Wash the dishes (You'll be sorry when you come back if you forget this!)
;
Getting Your Car Ready
; Check your spare tire and jack to ensure they are both in working order
; Check oil level, tire pressure, and coolant level, and all other fluid levels
; Pack a first-aid kit and roadside emergency kit into the trunk
;
Personal Preparation
; Schedule a medical check-up before the trip. (Ladies, make sure your mammogram and pap smear are up-to-date!!)
Ask your doctor about necessary vaccinations, and have any medical procedures done before you go
; Update any personal identification so that it contains current information and a photograph
; Pick up cash, change, and traveler’s checks at the bank
; Get a telephone calling card and take it with you
; Fill out and send in your tax return form if you will be out of town at the deadline
; Tell your friends where they can write to you at your vacation or out-of-town address
; Pay the rent and other bills. If you’ll be gone for an extended period of time, arrange for a friend or relative to pay the bills
; Wash clothes that you’re not packing so that you’ll have a clean set of clothes at home when you return from your trip
; Break in new shoes to prevent blisters
; pack chargers and/or extra batteries (phone, camera, laptop, etc)
;
Sanity Savers
; Make a "fun bag" for each child and include games, books, toys, a tape player with headphones, and snacks
; Purchase postcard stamps to take with you
; Print address labels of people to send postcards to. It’s much lighter to carry a sheet of labels than your address book;
take earplugs (in case your neighbors in the hotel are noisy!)
Miscellaneous
Also: Here is a link to some emergency preparedness info from FEMA for travel:
http://www.community.fema.gov/connect.ti/readynpm/messageshowthread?threadid=47950
http://www.community.fema.gov/connect.ti/readynpm/messageshowthread?threadid=47950
