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For the traveler on the go, finding time to do the right research is usually a luxury. Have a look at the below quick reference guide when planning your vacation/trip.
Here are a few quick sites to check out when planning your trip.
TSA – Security Checkpoint Tips: http://www.tsa.gov/
Traveling Abroad: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html
Packing Tips: http://www.travelsense.org/tips/packingtips.cfm
US State Department – Travel: http://travel.state.gov/travel/
When you’re on vacation, you don’t want to worry about “Did I turn off the iron? Did I lock the back door?” Here’s a checklist to help you out.
- Make your house look lived in.
- Stop the mail and newspapers, or have a friend or neighbor pick them up.
- Set lights on a timer.
- Turn on a clock radio.
Other things to do:
- Make arrangements for someone to mow the grass in summer, or make tire tracks in the driveway and shovel the walks in winter.
- Notify a friend or neighbor that you’ll be away, and leave a vacation itinerary with them. They can also check your house periodically to ensure everything is ok.
- Notify the security system company to immediately consider any alarms as real. Leave them the names of anyone responsible to watch over your house.
- If you’ll be traveling out of the country, make two copies of your passport and bring along a spare. Also, give a copy to a friend or neighbor at home in case your copy is lost or stolen.
- Empty out the refrigerator of food that may spoil and take out the garbage.
- Pay any bills that will come due while you’re on vacation.
- Unplug appliances (like the toaster) and other electronics such as your computer to protect them from an electrical storm while you’re away. Check surge protectors to insure they are working properly. It’s also a good idea to turn off the water to prevent any water damage that could occur.
- Disconnect the garage door so that it cannot be operated by remote control from the outside. Usually there is a lever that you can pull on the opener that can accomplish this easily.
- Another good reminder is to phone your credit card company if you will be using a credit card for much of your trip.
Here are some articles on some other travel planning topics:
Before You Go on Your European Vacation – 6 Months Before You Travel: By James Martin, About.com
Before you travel by air with baby – By Heather Corley, About.com
