Happy, safe, stress-free holidays

By MAS Team | 29 November 2018

It’s the time of year when many Kiwi families pack the car and head away for their summer holidays. While this is meant to be a relaxing time, it’s best to plan ahead to avoid the risk of burglary, injury or damage to your property or family. MAS staff have provided some tips for a stress-free holiday.

 

Before you go

  • Create a standard packing and action list that you can pull out before every holiday. Include things like emptying the waste disposal, the rubbish bin, and the jug, turning off heated towel rails and underfloor heating, organising for the recycling to go out and cancelling any subscriptions.

  • Plan an online grocery delivery for the day you return home from holiday to save that dreaded trip to the supermarket.

  • Find a house/dog sitter to take care of your house or pets while you’re away so you know your pets will be well cared for in your own home.

  • Ask a trusted friend or neighbour to check on your property and clear the mailbox and put away recycling or rubbish bins. Set timers for lights to go on in different rooms at different times of the day.

  • Turn off the water to prevent the risk of burst pipes flooding the house, which can cause massive damage to your property.

  • Keep valuables locked away and not visible through windows.

  • Be sure to do one last check that all windows and doors are securely locked and set alarms and sensors if you have them.

On the road

  • Ensure items in roof pods or on the roof and bike racks are secured from theft.

  • Pre-check your tyre pressures and check all lights are working.

  • If towing, ensure your car is rated for the weight you are towing.

  • Keep a picnic kit in your boot – a blanket, some plates/cups/cutlery. It makes it easy to have spontaneous picnics and handy if you have young kids.

  • Keep your valuables out of sight.

Holiday house

  • If you have had tradespeople in since your last stay, consider changing the lockbox number.

  • Turn mains water off when leaving the property.

  • Turn the power off.

  • If boating, ensure your auxiliary motor is removed from the boat or, if not, deadlocked to the transom.

  • Remove water skis and wakeboards from your boat overnight.
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