When going on trips and traveling, whether for short or long periods of time, there is always so much to be done at home. Here is a list of things that will most likely need to be done before you take trips to make sure everything at home is under control while you are gone.

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• Find a family member or friend who can check on your house while you are gone. Have them water any house plants, water the lawn, pick up mail and newspapers, etc. If you will have trash, arrange for them to sit trash out the night before pick up. Also leave them your traveling information (hotel names and numbers, cell number, flight information, etc.)
  
  
• Leave a family member or friend a house key.
  
  
• If you don't have any one to do these things, arrange for a neighbor to water your lawn and garden (if needed). If it snows in your area, ask them to shovel for you as well.
  
  
• Call post office and put a hold on your mail so you can just pick it all up when you arrive home.
  
  
• Put a stop on the newspaper delivery while you are gone (if you still want them, have a neighbor put them on your back porch everyday).
  
  
• If you have pets, arrange for their care. (Kennels, doggie day cares, take to a family or friend to watch). There are also people who will stay at your house while you are gone to watch your animals - just make sure you check references and make sure they are insured.
  
  
• If possible, keep a car parked in the driveway. If you won't have a car there, ask if a neighbor will park in your driveway while you are gone. It makes it seem as though someone is home.
  
  
• Put a front room light on a timer to turn on in the evenings for a couple hours.
  
  
• Make sure all windows and doors are locked, including garage and sheds.
  
  
• Leave front and back porch lights on.
  
  
• Unplug small appliances such as coffee pots and toasters and microwaves.
  
  
• Turn down heat while you are gone.
  
  
• Unplug all fans and space heaters.
  
  
• If it's a cold season, make sure your hoses are disconnected from the house.
  
  
• If you want - transfer your house calls to your cell phone. If not, just make sure you check in every couple days for important messages.
  
  
• Do all your laundry before leaving so clothes don't get ruined sitting dirty so long.
  
  
• Empty all trash cans and put outside in your outdoor trash cans.
  
  
• Run dish disposal before leaving and clean with vinegar and baking soda (to avoid food rotting and smelling up the whole house).
  
  
• It is best to disconnect the water line to the washing machine to avoid flooding.
  
  
• Turn off sprinkler system or set timer.
  
  
• Leave blinds down on windows so people can't see inside and realize no one is home.
  
  
• Make sure you pay all your bills that will be due while you are gone. You can also leave them with a friend or family to mail them for you.
  
  
• Call your checking and savings account to confirm the amount of money you have in each.
  
  
• If you will be using credit cards, call and check balances and pending transactions.
  
  
• Take phone numbers for your bank and credit cards (in case of loss or theft).
  
  
• Make sure you know your PIN numbers to all your cards.
  
  
• Remember you cannot write out of state checks in most states. Use a debit/credit card or bring travelers checks.
  
  
• If taking cameras and video cameras, make sure batteries are charged and that you have film, discs, memory cards, and video tapes.
  
  
• If you are leaving your children with someone, make sure they have all medical information (if any) and always leave a cell phone number they can call at any time - day or night.
  
  
• If you have important information on your computer, put everything on back up discs. Also, always put your computer on a surge protector strip.
  
  
• Email friends and family what days you will be gone.