- Check out Kennels
- or other pet care facilities if required.
- Medical Appointments
- Book medical and dental checkups and optometrist appointments early enough to order prescription sunglasses and dive masks or have that dental work done.
- Find maps
- of your destination and route maps if travelling by road.
- Get Active
- Walk, swim, dance or whatever floats your boat. The better shape you're in the more you'll enjoy the vacation.
- Make reservations
- If you haven't already done so you may want to make flight reservations, accommodation arrangements and possibly reserve a table or seat at a special restaurant or event you'd like to attend.
- Travel Sized Products
- If you keep your eyes open you'll find a whole variety of travel sized products. Each store carries different products so shop around. Keep them in the basket as you find them.
- Copy of Medical Prescription(s)
- Mail Order or Internet Purchases
- Most times you get your purchases within a week or two but sometimes you need to make changes so give yourself some time and order early.
- Prescription Sunglasses & Dive Masks
- 4 - 6 Weeks Before you leave is an ideal time to order contact lenses, glasses, prescription sunglasses and prescription dive masks for those beach and sailing vacations.
- Luggage
- Get out your luggage and examine it for worthiness. Will it protect your belongings from weather, physical abuse and nimble fingers when not in your sight? You may decide that you need to purchase some new luggage.
- Hair Appointments
- should be made now, or much earlier to catch those busy stylists.
- Check Valid Dates
- on your credit card and driver's license to make sure they will remain valid while you’re traveling.
- Vehicle Appointment
- Make an appointment to have your vehicle checked over and repairs done, particularly if this is a road trip vacation.
- Bank Cards
- Check with your bank about daily withdrawal limits on debit cards. Arrange for an increase if you think you'll need it. Leave room on your credit cards and even pre-pay a sum if you'll be gone for a while.
- PIN Numbers
- Refresh your memory on pertinent PIN numbers or change them to something you can remember.
- Purchase
- Automatic timers. Practice setting lights and radio to turn on and off at desired times with the auto timer. Keep looking for travel sized items.
- Camera & Equipment
- Purchase batteries and plenty of film if your camera uses it. Don't forget to buy a disposable camera (waterproof for beach and sailing vacations).
- Pets
- Arrange boarding or other care for your pets.
- Break Shoes In
- Start wearing any new shoes that you'll be taking with you.
- Dry Cleaning
- Make a trip to the cleaners 2 weeks prior to vacation with items that need to be cleaned.
- Arrange to have your mail picked up, forwarded, or put aside for the duration of your stay.
- Confirm Reservations
- 2 Weeks Prior to departure is a good time to confirm accommodation while you can still do something about any glitches.
- Home Security
- Ask a trusted neighbor or friend to check your home. Leave them with a list of emergency numbers in case there's a problem with the house while you're away. Many insurance companies require daily checks for your insurance to remain valid. Ask a neighbor or one of their kids to park in your driveway while you're gone. Arrange lawn care, gardening, snow removal and/or indoor plant care.
- Vehicles Left at Home
- If the weather at home will be very hot or cold arrange to have your vehicles started once a week.
- Check Prescriptions
- Make sure you have enough medication to last til at least a week after your return. Don't forget to get a copy of your prescription for your document envelope and carry the generic names of all meds in case of emergency.
- Groceries
- Do you have enough pet food to last until you come home? Start limiting the amount of perishables you buy at the grocery store.
- Begin Gathering
- everything you're planning to bring with you. Inspect your pile with a critical eye. Can some items do double duty so that others can be left at home? 1 Week Prior to leaving is a good time to check out our vacation packing list to help you decide what's necessary and what's not.
- Weather
- Keep an eye on the weather at your destination and pack accordingly.
- Security
- About 1 Week Prior to departure, notify the local police and security company that your home will be unoccupied.
- Valuables
- Secure your valuables or artfully conceal them on your property. Make a note of all hiding places and take it with you. We have hidden some things so well that we've never found them.
- Dry Cleaning
- Pick up all items from the dry cleaners.
- Organize Documents
- Make sure you have ample copies of documents, itineraries, emergency numbers etc.
- Pay Bills
- Pay the bills that are waiting to be paid and any that will come due while you're on vacation.
- Prepare Vehicle
- Fuel up, wash, vacuum, check tire pressure, etc.
- Fridge
- Clean out perishables and turn fridge to its lowest setting.
- Set Timers
- for lights and radio to be on at times of the day when you would usually be home.
- Return Items
- Movie rentals, library books, borrowed items, etc.
- Newspaper Delivery
- Cancel your newspaper delivery or offer it to a neighbor who will pick it up daily.
- Water
- Turn water heater down, set auto sprinklers if leaving water on, turn water valve off at property line if accessible and if no one will be in the house.
- Air Temperature
- In the winter set your heat at 65F or 18C if you're not leaving pets. Summer, turn air conditioning to 72F or 21C and close drapes or blinds in most windows. Leave front drapes as usual. Spring and Fall turn heat and air conditioner off and leave most drapes open with the front window coverings left as usual.
- Set Timers
- Set radios, lights even TV's (if you trust your surge protectors) to go on and off and foil would be thieves.
- Lock up
- Check every door and window in the house including basement, garage, sunroom, upstairs to ensure that they are locked.
- Electronics
- Unplug Televisions, computers, stereo equipment and the like in case of power surges from electrical storms. Ensure that electronics that must be left on such as answering machines, fax machines and sometimes computers are adequately protected with surge protectors.
- Stay hydrated
- Don't forget to drink fluids and eat fresh fruits while travelling.
- Pack the Car
- Keep the garage door closed while you pack your luggage in the car to keep from advertising your departure to people driving by.
- Garbage and Recyclables
- Remove all garbage and recyclables from the house.
- Instructions and Emergency Info
- Leave instructions, emergency numbers and photocopies in a pre- arranged place for your house sitter or other.
- Pets
- Drop pets off at their caregivers with their favorite toys, blanks and snacks.
- Walk Through
- Take a last walk through the house. Check coffee pot, iron, curling iron, etc. Make sure nothing is left on and nothing is left behind.
- Home Security
- Set alarms, home security cameras and other systems as you walk out the door.
Planning Your Pocono Vacation
2 - 3 Months Before
4– 6 Weeks Before
3 Weeks Before
2 Weeks Before
1 Week Before
The Day Before
The Day of Departure
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