8 Ways to Prep Your Apartment Before Holiday Travel

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The break between school semesters is a great time to travel, especially if you are traveling for the holidays over winter break. This often means that you will be away from your off-campus apartment for an extended period of time. It may be tempting to just up and leave, but preparing your apartment before you leave can leave you less hassle when you return.

Make lists

Before you leave, make a list of things you need to do before you go. This can include a shopping list of things you will need to grocery shop for when you return and things you need to prepare (see this article). Having a list can help you stay organized and on track so you do not forget anything you need. Being organized will help you remain sane, especially with final exams and projects happening as well.

Lock your doors and windows

This may seem obvious, but lock all of the doors and windows to your apartment before you leave. This is especially true if you live alone or your roommate is also going to be away. College students in particular are often targeted for burglaries, so it is important that you lock your doors and windows. When you live at home, your parents may have been responsible for this, but now it is on you to protect your apartment. Even before you think about going away, check to make sure your locks work properly and are completely secure. Have your landlord fix your locks if they are not secure or are broken.

Shut off all the lights

When you lived in a dorm, all of your housing-related expenses, such as electricity and water, were likely covered in the bill. However, now that you live an apartment, you have to worry about a separate electricity bill. This is why it is so important to turn off your lights before you leave for holiday travel. Leaving the lights on will cost you a lot of money, especially since you are not even there to use it. Wasting electricity also harms the environment.

Keep it quiet

Travel plans and going away for the holidays can be exciting. However, it is crucial that you be discrete and do not mention dates that you will be away from your apartment. Avoid posting pictures while you are away. If people are aware that you are not in your apartment, they may try to break into your space. Let your landlord know that you will be away and tell someone you know who will be around so that they can keep an eye on your space and be aware of anything suspicious.

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Buy a safe

Traveling often means that you will be packing lightly. This also means that you will be leaving some valuable belongings behind. If you do not have one already, consider investing in a safe to keep these belongings safe. Not only will they be protected by a code from burglars, they will also be protected from fire and other disasters if the safe is equipped to do so. Safes can be expensive, so if you are unable to afford one, store your items in a hard-to-reach place like a high shelf or hidden closet.

Clean and declutter

Before you head out, clean your space so you do not have to worry about them when you get back. Schedule cleaning in advance and do a little bit at a time, especially if you have finals and projects. If you have a roommate, have them help with the cleaning so the work is not completely on you to do. Make sure you have all of the needed supplies and buy the things you need. Use this as a time to declutter and put things where they need to go. Doing this ahead of your travels will help ensure you can ease back into a routine once you return.

Turn off (or down) your AC and heater

Again, turning your AC or heater off will help save you money on electricity. Leaving these running on a high level will result in a costly electric bill. However, if it is cold where you live, consider running your heater at a low temperature so your pipes do not freeze when you are away. Check with your landlord to see what temperature will be best for your situation and see if they even recommend this. Saving electricity and money will make the planet and your wallet happy!

Communicate with your roommate

For those living with a roommate (or roommates), be sure to communicate with them. If they are staying behind when you are leaving, make sure they know to lock the doors to secure your belongings that are staying. For roommates who may also be leaving, let them know the best ways to secure your apartment and conserve electricity, especially if they are leaving after you leave. Be sure to have them check and double-check that everything is set before they leave themselves.

Holiday traveling is fun, but there are things you need to do before you leave to ensure the safety and well-being of your space and those who live in it.

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