Device and Phone checks before travel

These days we almost can't travel without our electronic devices which we use for capturing our thoughts and photographs during travel, posting our photographs, letting people know where we are, etc.

These are checks we need to do prior to travel to ensure that we have all that we would need during the journey -

• Synchronize the laptop and external hard disk, if you have one
• Synchronize any cloud based software on your phone/tablet/laptop in which you have some key information that you might need during the travel
• Charge tablet(s)
• Charge mobile phone(s)
• Charge laptop(s)
• Charge MP3 player, if you are carrying one
• Charge camera batteries
• Charge camcorder batteries
• Ensure you carry an extra set of batteries for the camera and camcorder
• Charge the power bank(s)
• Charge the bluetooth headset(s)
• Check earphones for quality
• Cleanup history, favorites and other unwanted files in the laptop
  Cleanup history, favorites and other unwanted files in the tablet
• Cleanup history, favorites and other unwanted files in the mobile phone, if smart phone
• Ensure you are not carrying any pirated movie discs
• Check if all needed files and software are available in the laptop for the travel
• Check and ensure that the laptop bag is in good condition
• Check and ensure that the tablet bag/sleeve/case is in good condition
• Check and ensure that the mobile case is in good condition
• Check if the memory cards are empty and in good condition; backup the memory card data and empty it before the travel
• Carry extra memory cards for the camera and camcorder  

Room-wise home checklist before you travel

As much as travel is a stress-buster, the things to be completed before travel can be quite stressful. We rush about things to be done before we go on that holiday, so that we don't have to come back to a messy house or state-of-affairs. I created a checklist for myself so that we I have to leave home for a few days I run through this checklist to ensure that everything is safe and sound while I am gone. Hope this list is helpful for you also.

The checklist is given room-wise so that you can go about in an orderly manner when ticking off items in the list.

Kitchen

Kitchen is the most dangerous place in the house where things can easily go wrong, what with the presence of the gas cylinder, electricity plug points and other appliances. Moreover, it is also the place that can get very messy with water and food waste bins. So it always helps to be extra cautious while closing up things in the kitchen. So here are the things needed to be done when closing up the kitchen before going on a holiday.

• All windows should be closed
• All water taps should be closed
• Water motor should switched off
• Gas cylinder regulator should be in OFF position
• Stove knobs should be in OFF position
• The interior of the microwave should be cleaned
• The microwave switch should be in OFF position
• Water filter tap (if water filter is used) should be in OFF position
• All perishable items in the fridge should be cleaned out
• Ensure there is no water collected in the fridge water tray
• All waste food items should be packed in garbage bags and disposed a day ahead
• Ensure no eatables are left out in the open

Pooja Room

This can also be a dangerous place if left unattended because you do light lamps in here.

• Ensure that all lamps are extinguished
• Ensure that there is burning amber or agarbathi or match still lying around
• Ensure there are no loose papers (could be newspapers) lying around
• Close the pooja room door

Utility Room

If you use a separate utility room where the washing machine is housed, then these are the things to be ticked off.

• Ensure all water taps are closed
• Ensure there is no waste water remaining in the machine
• Ensure that the drum lining is wiped clean and has no wetness
• Ensure all outlet holes are closed so that there is no issue with rodents (rats)

Bedroom (and other applicable rooms)

The bedroom is a peaceful place, even when you are away. Except for the threat of an electric short-circuit happening, there is nothing else to go wrong when you are away. Ensure that these items are ticked off in your bedroom before you step out for some days.

• Air conditioner main switch should be in OFF position
• Ensure all windows are closed
• All wooden or steel cupboards with valuables should be locked
• Any electronic devices, except for the television, that you are not carrying on your travel should be unplugged and safely stored inside the cupboards
• If you have a iron box and table for pressing clothes, ensure that the iron box plug is removed from the electrical socket.

Bathroom

Again, bathrooms can get messy if you have a water leakage and can be dangerous as well if you forget to turn off the water heater.

• Water heater switch should be in OFF position
• All water taps to be closed
• Any water pipe or faucet leakage should be repaired before you travel
• The bathroom floor should be clean without any soapiness
• Ensure no items lay fallen on the floor
• Ensure that the faucet is flushed, and cleaned with some toilet detergent to ensure that microorganisms don't develop when left unused for some days
• Ensure that the ventilator window is properly barred and all glasses are in place
• Leave some naphthalene balls on the wash basin, bathtub and water outlet in the floor
• Keep an open packet of air freshner (such as Odonil) to ensure that a pleasant fragrance remains in the closed bathroom
• Ensure that the bathroom door is closed and latched

Hall

The hall is a room that gives you the least worry when you are away as long as you ensure these things are done.

• Leave one power-saver lamp ON so that you don't have to come back to a totally dark house
• Ensure all windows are closed and latched
• Ensure that the television is unplugged and covered with a neat cloth
• If there is a wash basin in the hall, ensure its tap is closed

Staircase and Balcony

If you have a staircase and/or a balcony in your house, ensure the following points are checked.

• Ensure balcony lights are switched OFF
• Any water tap in the balcony should be closed
• Balcony door should be closed and latched
• There should be no items, especially sharp objects, present on the staircase

Terrace

If your house has a terrace, ensure the following items are checked.

• If the terrace has a wash basin, ensure the tap is closed.
• Terrace door should be closed and locked
• If you have a terrace garden, then provide drip irrigation to the water pots (check out this YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZleUGBnTKk)). 
• If you unable to create a drip-irrigation system and traveling only for 3-4 days then ensure that more-than-sufficient water is given to your plants so that they can sustain for the few days that you are away.

Vehicles

If you have vehicles that you are not taking with you on your travel, then ensure the following items are checked.

• All petrol in the vehicle should be used up or drained to a container so that the vehicle is not filled with petrol
• The vehicle battery, especially in a 4-wheeler, should be unplugged so that it does not drain
• If you have petrol stored in a container, ensure it is stored inside the house, far away from flammable objects.
• Ensure there is petrol-filled containers within the vehicle
• Cover the vehicle with vehicle covers or water proof tarpaulin
• Park two-wheeler inside the house if you have the facility to do so.
• Ensure the vehicles are locked
• Petrol valves in a two-wheeler needs to be closed 
• If you have a bicycle ensure that it is locked and also chained up to a sturdy support so that it cannot be easily removed

Compound

If you live in an independent house with its own compound, then ensure these points are checked.

• Any water taps inside the compound should be closed
• Ensure all sump lids are closed and locked
• Ensure the gates are chained and locked
• Ensure that no sharp/heavy objects are lying around in the compound that can be used to break open the house
• Ensure all compound lights are switched off

Applicable to all rooms

• Ensure all light switches are in OFF position
• Ensure all fan switches are in OFF position
• Any indoor plant should be sufficiently watered
• Ensure all appliances are unplugged from the power sockets
• If you have a solar panel system, ensure it is unplugged from any AC or DC power circuits
• If you can dismantle the solar power system, then ensure the solar panels are safely stored inside the house.