Lock All Doors & Windows 

You may have remembered to lock the doors, but are the windows locked? That would make it really easy for someone to break in, especially on ground levels. Other doors you may have forgotten about are barn/garage doors, cellar doors, and in-law apartment doors. Check all of these!

Get a Housesitter 

Maintaing the illusion of presence in the home while you are away is one of the best preventative measures you can take to protect your home.

One of the things burglars look for while scoping for potential break-ins is activity. If the TV is going, someone is home, the house looks occupied, cars are in the driveway...this is a huge deterrent to a thief. A house sitter will fulfill all of these needs. Ask someone you know, and they're likely to do it for free...you're much better off having house guests eat some of your frozen pizza than have a burglar come in because the house was vacant!

Road Trip USA Women's Pink T-Shirt

from planetkris wearables

Price: 17.99

A great way to keep away the wrong people: motion detectors.

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Automatic Light Timers 

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Light Sensors 

Backyard and front yard light sensors are a huge deterrent. Nothing ruins a burglar's cover like bright light and exposure. Installing light sensors might be just the thing to stop prowlers in their tracks.

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Pet Care/Lodging 

You'll want to arrange this far in advance, since pet lodging is becoming more prevalant, places fill up quick! Often you can board your pets safely at the local vets office. If you find this type of service not your thing, ask a friend or neighbor to check up on your cat, or if you have a dog, to take the dog in exchange for cash, or returning the favor.

Many hotels now allow pets to stay for free...check Pets Welcome for a list of hotels that do allow pets.

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Tune up the Car 

For a road trip, it's essential for good mileage to tune up the car first. Some of the most important things to do are an oil change and air filter replacement.

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EXPLOREDBack to cars and back to HDR.

All 289 of them...

Düsseldorf, 06.08.2006

Düsseldorf, 23.09.2006

© All rights reservedKris Kros PhotographyTo view this LARGE

Improve your Mileage! 

Auto Repair

Auto repair and maintenance is an important part of owning a vehicle. Even the most reliable vehicle requires regular maintenance to help it keep running smoothly and problem free. This lens will help provide the auto repair tips and resources to hel...

How to get a better mileage on your car or truck and save money on gas

With the latest rises in gas prices, many people find themselves in a difficult situation, unable to afford gas for their cars. This lens discusses various methods which would help you save money on gas and increase fuel economy. Articles as well as...

Yes, I Love My Hybrid Car

Yep, I am a rabid Prius owner. I got it for the environment. I love it for the mileage, especially after the gas prices here jumped over $3! When hybrid cars first came out in Japan, I thought I'd wait a few years until they'd worked out all the kinks...

Fill Bird Feeder 

Now this might be an odd item to place on this list, but think about it!

An empty bird feeder says "we're not home!"

Whether the feeder is empty from neglect, you ran out of seed, or you're not home, it's just one extra hint the thief might catch on to and reassure him that the home is a good target.

Brome 1024 Squirrel Buster Plus Wild Bird Feeder with Cardinal Perch Ring

Amazon Price: $73.44 (as of 10/11/2008)
List Price: $100.00

6 feeding stations, a cardinal perch, a spring mechanism to discourage squirrels, and its easy to assemble nature make this an excellent birdfeeder. Oh, and over 60 reviewers have given this one a huge thumbs up!

Avg. Customer Rating:

Discontinue Paper Service 

Clean & Dust the House 

While it may not seem that important, coming home to a clean house is. The last thing you'll want to do when you get home is clean, or have the thought of cleaning on your mind while your on vacation.

Dyson DC15 Animal Cyclone Upright Vacuum Cleaner

Amazon Price: $599.00 (as of 10/11/2008)
List Price: $599.00

The Dyson "Animal" Cyclone Vaccum is a huge step up from old vaccums...it actually cleans the floor! It's very easy to empty, and there's no bags to buy so there's less waste. The biggest selling point of this machine is its abillity to pick up dirt...it really works, and works well.

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Take out the Trash 

There's nothing smellier than coming home to rancid trash inside the house...and that smell will be hard to get rid of. Take out all of your trash barrels and bags before you leave, and don't forget the ones in the garage!

Seventh Generation Trash Bags, Tall Kitchen, 13-Gallon, 20-Count Boxes (Pack of 12)

Amazon Price: $44.99 (as of 10/11/2008)
List Price: $39.99

Recycled plastic bags are one of the better ways to go in terms of garbage. These bags are durable, sturdy, and dependable.

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Get Reading Material for the Trip 

Plane rides, train rides, and long car trips can take quite some time. Be sure to bring things to occupy your time. Now would be a great time to purchase that brainless book that might enthrall you for hours.

Slash

by Slash, Anthony Bozza

Amazon Price: $18.45 (as of 10/11/2008)
List Price: $27.95

It's just fun. You won't learn much from reading this book, but hey, it's vacation! That's what vacations are for, and not everything has to be about education. Let your mind turn to mush for just one book and relax. This one is a great example, and the tales offered are pretty outrageous.

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Why a Vacation is so Essential 

How to Take a Break!

It seems cliched, but everyone in the world is always in a rush. Does the rushing really get people anywhere, or are they just treading water? Sometimes, you just need to take a break. That break make be much more important and should come more ofte...

Trip Planning Lenses... 

What to Bring on a Road Trip

There are the necessities for road trips, and there are the items that will improve the quality of your road trip. Both can be equally important to have a good time on your trip...from technological help like navigation systems to old, trusty road at...

How to Save Money on a Road Trip

There's no question about it, rising gas prices have made road trips a little bit more difficult. Even though gas might be expensive, there's no reason that you shouldn't see the world and what is has to offer by car! There are many different ways th...

Water the Plants 

Indoor plants need relatively little care, so water them plenty before you leave. If you're going to be gone over a week, you're going to want to consider having someone else water them...have someone drop by, or drop the plants somewhere while you're away.

I was bored and procrastinating cleaning my apartment. So I took a bunch of pict...

Just look at the work and see your own interpretation of the work that will alwa...

Spider plants or Chlorophytum comosum, are one of the most common of houseplants...

I have had this tree for something like 16 years. Once began as a small potted p...

The art of Indoor plant.

Shut off Power Strips 

Electrical power strips save you cash by eliminating the unnecessary flow of energy to your appliances and electronic equipment while they are not in use. This will especially add up while you are away on vacation! One more thing: get one with surge protection. These will help reduce power surges that might overload your computer and other electronics from thunderstorms and other electric disturbances.

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Turn on the House Alarm 

You have one, why not use it? This should be the very last thing on your checklist of things to do before you leave for vacation.

Skylink SC-100 Security System Deluxe Kit

Amazon Price: $114.99 (as of 10/11/2008)
List Price: $125.99

An affordable piece of equipment that is worth its weight in pure gold. It's also at a very reasonable price! For peace of mind, it's worth it, isn't it?

Avg. Customer Rating:

Lock the Doors! 

Run through all of your locks in the house...back, front, cellar, is everything locked? Time to set the alarm, and you're out and on vacation!

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A Quick Checklist of Everything Discussed Here... 

• Lock all doors & windows
• Have someone else check up on your residence
• Discontinue paper and mail services
• Automatic light timers
• Light sensors for front/back of home
• Water plants
• Arrange pet care
• Fill bird feeders
• Mow lawn, maintain property before leaving
• Clean and dust house
• Clean refridgerator of old food, use it up beforehand
• Take out last bag of trash before leaving
• Pre pay bills, make sure all bills will be paid while gone
• Get cash for the trip
• Get reading material for the plane, car or hotels for you and everyone else
• Tune up the car, check fluids, get an oil change
• Shut off power to any unnecessary items. Unplug and use power strips.
• Shut off water
• House alarm on, alarm clock off, drapes closed.
• You're ready to go!

More Road Trip Lenses... 

Planning a US Road Trip: The Southern Route

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I-95 runs right down the east coast of the United States, hitting major cities like Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC and Miami, as well as some of the best sites the country has to offer! A trip from Boston to Miami is approximately 1500...

How to Plan a US Road Trip

There's nothing like taking a road trip across the USA. Going by car gives you a greater appreciation for the vastness and wide array of parks, forests, cities, museums, beaches and cultures the United States has to offer. By taking a cross country r...

Planning a US Road Trip: The Northern Route

When planning a road trip in the United States, you can take 3 options: the northern route, the southern route, and the middle. We'll be analyzing the northern route here, covering the states from Maine to Washington state. If a road trip is in your...

Guestbook 

Did we forget something for the checklist? Leave it in our guestbook below!

NewRiver Excellent! Posted July 21, 2008

whiteline Nice lens kiwisoutback! Hey Thanks for the "VBW" (virtual biker wave) I've rolled you on to my Packing for the Road lens. Great tips no matter how your Road Trippin'! "Ride Safe" Posted July 15, 2008

sisterra Great checklist! Posted July 09, 2008

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