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If you've prepared well for your holiday you'll enjoy relaxing stress-free travel. Use the following guide, as a starting point for your preparation on baggage, luggage allowances, security tips and packing tips, whether you are travelling for business or pleasure. |
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Here we give you some great tips and advice on preparing to leave for your travels. It's not just about remembering your baggage and tickets but also securing your home, so use our security tips, we've also included packing tips and unofficial information on luggage allowances.
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First of all here are some general tips on things you should be thinking about when you prepare to leave for your travels. Many of them also help prevent people guessing your are away too.
- Cancel any doorstep deliveries you might have - milk, newspapers etc. Not only that, but built up will show that you aren't home to anyone walking past.
- Leave ordering anything that will come Recorded Delivery as the Post Man will need a signature to deliver it, and if you're not in the package will be returned after one week at the main sorting office.
- Don't miss any appointments you might have booked whilst you're away or you might get charged a fee.
- In the Summer months your garden will need watering and so will your pot plants. Arrange for someone to pop by and water them for you.
- Use up perishable items that are in your fridge, or use them up.
- As a safety measure turn off the mains on all your plug sockets throughout the house.
- Save yourself a bit of money by turning off your hot water and central heating, and in the Winter just turn them both down to a minimum temperature, but not off in case of a hard frost that could damage your pipes.
- Making sure your pets are looked after - friends or family could house-sit and look after them, or book them into a cattery or kennel.
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Security Tips For Your Home ... |
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For most of us our homes are the most expensive things we own. Not to mention its contents which are hugely sentimental. So don't risk returning home to a house that has been burgled, just because you didn't take a moment to protect it to the best of your ability. After all, remember that almost half of all residential break-ins happen when a flat or house is left empty.
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Top Ten Security Tips |
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1. Automatic Lighting |
Set your lights on timers which go on and off at different times during the day, which will confuse burglars. |
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2. Post |
Organise for family or friends to clear away any mail that has built up on your doormat. Otherwise it's a real giveaway to a burglar that no-one’s home!
If you can't arrange for a friend to pop by get Royal Mail's Keepsafe service set up that stores your mail for up to two months. |
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3. Deliveries |
Again, built up newspapers or milk on your step tells people you aren't home. |
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4. Baggage Tags: |
Your baggage tag should only display your home address when you are heading back, not as you set off. Otherwise, persons handling your baggage will be able to find out where you live, knowing you aren't home for a week or more. |
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5. House Checking: |
Ask family or friends to pop into your home to make it look lived in by opening and closing curtains - this can confuse any burglars, so to can their cars parked on your drive.
It's always best to leave your contact details with someone should anything crop up. |
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6. Neighbourhood Watch: |
Join your local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme - visit www.neighbourhoodwatch.net for more unofficial information. |
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7. Valuable Items: |
Important paperwork, documents and small valuables can be stored in a safe at your Bank, or you could keep them with family for the duration of your time away.
Valuables like TVs and stereos, when seen from outside can be a real temptation to any burglar. Either put up net curtains temporarily or move these items from view.
Before you head off to sunnier climes check your home and contents insurance is valid. |
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8. Alarm: |
If you've got a burglar alarm appoint someone as a temporary key holder should it go off for any reason. Also advise your Security Company should they need to contact anyone in emergency.
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9. Outdoor Storage: |
Sheds and garages can be easy targets when you're away so think about putting valuables like power tools, golf clubs, bikes etc. inside for the week or so you're away. |
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10. Locks: |
Before rushing out of the door go into each room to see if all your doors and windows are locked shut. |
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As an extra precaution, you could consider contacting your local police force to see if they offer free home security tips. Many forces will come out, check your home and suggest additional security tips.
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Packing Tips & Luggage Allowances ... |
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When packing your bags consider the luggage allowances you need to follow as set out by the airline you are travelling with. If you go over this weight limit you will either have to take out the excess luggage and it will be taken away and not returned to you. Or you will have to pay a large fine and repack your bags into smaller ones (that you'll have to go and purchase) so the weight is evenly distributed.
You can find out what your luggage allowances are by checking the reverse of your flight ticket. However, mostly the luggage allowance for your baggage is 70lbs or 32kgs per person per bag.
Always check with your airline if you need to carry large amounts of baggage with you or if you need to carry outsized baggage.
All passengers are asked questions concerning their baggage when checking-in. This will cover who packed your baggage, what it contains and check it doesn't include any restricted or prohibited items.
You can find unofficial information on restricted and prohibited items that must not be packed in your baggage visit the Security section of this website. |
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