TUI flight attendant Faye Whittaker calls taking photos or videos of every room in her home before a holiday a 'non-negotiable' routine. She recommends all travellers adopt this practice to avoid last-minute panic and provide peace of mind while away.
Why photographing every room is essential
Whittaker explains that she regularly experiences the 'last-minute panic of wondering whether I left the iron, straighteners or oven on.' She adds, 'I've even been on my way to the airport before and found myself trying to picture whether I definitely switched everything off.' To eliminate this lingering sense of dread, she now takes a video of each room after a final walkaround to check everything is as it should be.
'It takes less than a minute, but it means that if I suddenly start second-guessing myself, I can check my phone and put my mind at ease straight away,' says the cabin crew member. She also notes that having recent photos or videos of your home and possessions 'may be helpful information to have available if you ever need to make an insurance claim or show what was inside your property.'
Empty the fridge and take out the bins
Whittaker advises checking what's in your fridge before leaving and throwing away anything likely to expire while you're away, including milk, leftovers, fruit, and food waste. 'Milk, leftovers, fruit and food waste can quickly create unpleasant smells, particularly during the warmer summer months,' she says. She also recommends setting a reminder on your phone for the evening before you travel called 'fridge, bins and food waste' to avoid forgetting these tasks amid last-minute packing.
Pause deliveries and tell a trusted neighbour
Whittaker warns that meal kits, subscription boxes, or parcels sitting at your front door for days can be a dead giveaway to burglars that nobody is home. She suggests double-checking emails for words including 'delivery', 'subscription', 'grocery', and 'parcel' to catch anything that might arrive while you're away.
For longer trips, she recommends letting a trusted neighbour, friend, or family member know you're away. 'Whether it's moving a parcel, watering plants, putting a bin out or spotting an issue early, having somebody nearby who knows you're away can provide real peace of mind,' she says. She also suggests using timer switches or smart lighting so the house appears occupied in the evenings.
The Metropolitan Police echoes this advice, recommending people 'leave lights and a radio on a timer to make the property appear occupied' and 'consider asking your neighbours to close curtains after dark and to park on your drive.' However, the force's website notes that you shouldn't tell everyone you're off on holiday, explaining: 'If you wish to post anything on social media, make sure your posts aren't public and that they're only seen by your friends.'
Fire safety checklist before departure
According to the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, travellers should complete a fire safety checklist before leaving for the airport. This includes turning off all gas appliances that do not need to run while away, turning off and unplugging all electrical devices not needed, turning off the water at the mains to prevent leaks from causing electrical short circuits, closing all internal doors to contain any potential fire, and ensuring working smoke alarms are in place to alert neighbours if a fire starts.
Once these steps are completed, travellers can enjoy their getaway without frantic 'did I leave the…' Googling from the sun lounger. If something does go wrong while away, at least they will know they were not to blame.
