Tips for a Worry-Free March Break Holiday

February 23, 2020

The third month of the year is fast approaching, bringing the school break eagerly awaited by many students and a well-deserved vacation for many parents! If you’re planning a family holiday, why not take some time to prepare your home for your imminent departure?

Follow these steps to enjoy your time away with complete peace of mind!

1. Clean out your refrigerator

Your refrigerator will stay closed while you’re gone, but the perishable foods inside can still spoil. An open box of baking soda, even a dozen, won’t be able to contain the stench of shelves filled with rotting food! 

A few days before your departure take inventory of which foods are still good and will be fine during your absence and which you should eat before you leave.  

Another good tip is to adjust your last pre-vacation grocery list to only include what you’ll need for that week’s meals and lunches.

2. Take out the garbage 

Now that the fridge is taken care of, be sure to take out the trash and put the bags in the bins outside. If you don’t do this shortly before you go, the contents could quickly make your house stink. Not a pleasant welcome home!

The kitchen trash has the greatest potential for smelliness, but while you’re at it, why not empty all the trash cans in the house?

3. Provide easy access for the oil delivery person at all times

Let’s not kid ourselves. March might have a sneak storm or two in store, like every year.

If your oil tank is outside, you could ask a neighbour to clear a path to it if snow accumulates during your absence. Also be sure to ask them to clear your fill pipes. They need to be accessible to the person delivering your oil!

4. Set the right temperature

What temperature should you keep your house at? Every family member will have an opinion about the ideal temperature setting, but it’s another story when you’re leaving for a few days.

It’s recommended that you lower the thermostat a few degrees, setting it at 15 °C or a little less.

By keeping the heat on, you’ll be making sure that there are no unpleasant surprises when you return, like burst pipes and all the damage that can cause!

5. Have someone get your mail

Are you one of the few people still getting their mail and flyers delivered to the letterbox by the door? If so, it would be a good idea to ask the same neighbour, or another person you trust, to pick up your mail so that it doesn’t accumulate, signalling that you aren’t home.   

If your mail gets delivered to a post office box, it shouldn’t be an issue. However, are there any orders that may be delivered during your absence? Packages that don’t require a signature are often just left by the door. That same neighbour will be a big help, if so!

Enjoy the spring break!