A little research and planning can go a long way to insure you’ll have a safer, more economical and enjoyable trip. A little preparation will also help to keep your property safe while you’re traveling. But, who can remember all the little details when you’re rushing to get away? We can help you find the resources you need for planning and remind you of all those little details so you can relax and enjoy your travels.

 In this section, we have included a checklist that you can print to help you keep track of your planning efforts. This checklist is a suggested timeline you can use to guide your research, planning and other preparations.

• Start looking for special deals and other discounts for which you may qualify.

• Do some research on the area you’ll be visiting and on how you’ll be getting there. IT is especially important to start your research early if you are planning on traveling to foreign countries.

• Check the valid dates on your passport if you are planning on leaving the country.

• Take care of medical and dental checkups and vaccinations if necessary.

• After consulting your physician, consider starting an exercise program to prepare your body for the extra exertion you’ll experience while traveling.

• Make reservations.

• Watch the weather, so you’ll know what to expect and can pack accordingly.

• Check with your credit card company for available spending amount; ask your bank for an increase if needed. Don’t forget about the deposits that will be charged and leave some room on the card for emergencies.

• Check the valid dates on your credit card to make sure they will remain valid while you’re traveling.

• Notify the Credit Card Company that you’ll be traveling, so they will expect charges from your destination.

• Purchase automatic light timers to switch on and off in the evening.

• Check your driver’s license to make sure it will remain valid while you’re traveling.

• Check cameras, purchase new batteries if necessary, and film.

• Make an arrangement with a neighbor, friend or relative to check your home periodically.

• Reconfirm all your reservations.

• Get traveler’s checks from the bank.

• Make arrangements to purchase some foreign currency if you are traveling abroad.

• Check your insurance for expiration dates and coverage for your automobile, home and the valuables that you’ll take with you, as well as those you’ll leave at home.

• If traveling by car, get the car checked and have the oil changed. Don’t wait until the last minute, it may take time to get an appointment and parts may need to be ordered. You also want some time to drive around town and make sure that whatever they fixed stays fixed.

• Put your valuables and jewelry in a safety deposit box.

• If you don’t have, or can’t get access to a safety deposit box, you still want to hinder a hurried burglar by hiding valuable items in your house.

• Reduce the amount of fresh items you buy at the grocery, such as milk, fruit and other perishables you’ll need to throw out before you leave.

• Get out the suitcase and start your packing.

• Be sure your luggage is marked with identification on the inside and out.

• Start adjusting your sleeping and eating habits closer to your destination’s time zone to help avoid jetlag.

• Make at least two lists of credit card numbers and travelers check serial numbers.

• Make several copies of your passport. Leave one list at home and keep the other with you in case you lose your passport. Do not keep the copies on yourself, rather keep a copy in your suitcase and/or give your traveling companion a copy.

• Notify the local police and security system company to immediately consider any alarms as real. Leave with them the names of anyone responsible to watch over your house.

• Check prescriptions for necessary refills; bring a list with the drug’s generic name listed since the brand names available can differ in other areas.

• Pick up all your items from the dry cleaners.

• Pay bills that will are due while you are away.

• Walk around with your packed luggage to evaluate your comfort with the weight of the luggage.

• Move houseplants away from direct sunlight, water thoroughly and wrap pots with plastic. Most plants can then live without further watering for two weeks.

• Empty the refrigerator of items that might spoil.

• Cancel or hold your newspaper delivery.

• Fill the car with gas before you pack the car. Check the fluid levels and tire pressure, since your tire pressure will effect the ride and gas mileage you get on your trip.

• You might want to turn your refrigerator to its lowest setting.

• Set automatic light and radio timers. Check the bulbs to see if they will last for your entire trip.

• Leave shades or drapes as you normally do.

• Plug a cheap radio into a timer so you can have some noise in the house during part of the day.

• Lock all doors and windows including basement & garage.

• Unplug electronic items, such as, your computer to protect them if you have a storm while you’re gone. Remember to unhook your phone line from the modem. Unfortunately, you may have to leave it all hooked up if your computer is your only answering machine. Make sure your surge protectors are properly installed.

• Pack the car inside the garage, with the door down, so people driving by won’t find out you’re leaving.

• Disconnect the garage door. Unplug it if you can, don’t pull the fuse for the garage door until you verify the fuse isn’t hooked up to something that needs to stay on, such as, your refrigerator or maybe a freezer in the garage.