TUI flight attendant Faye Whittaker has shared a pre-holiday routine she calls a 'non-negotiable': taking photos or videos of every room in the house before leaving for a trip.
Whittaker, who is regularly away from home for days at a time, says the practice helps eliminate the lingering sense of dread that comes from wondering whether appliances were left on. 'We've all had that last-minute panic of wondering whether we left the iron, straighteners or oven on,' she said. 'I've even been on my way to the airport before and found myself trying to picture whether I definitely switched everything off.'
How the photo routine works
After a final walkaround to check everything is as it should be, Whittaker takes a video of each room. 'It takes less than a minute, but it means that if I suddenly start second-guessing myself, I can check my phone and put my mind at ease straight away,' she said. 'It can also be useful if you ever need to check something while you are away.'
She added that recent photos or videos of the home and possessions could be helpful if an insurance claim is needed or to show what was inside the property.
Other pre-travel tips from the cabin crew member
Whittaker also advises emptying the fridge before departure. 'Milk, leftovers, fruit and food waste can quickly create unpleasant smells, particularly during the warmer summer months,' she said. She suggests setting a phone reminder called 'fridge, bins and food waste' for the evening before travel.
She recommends pausing or rearranging deliveries, as meal kits, subscription boxes or parcels sitting at the front door can signal to burglars that nobody is home. A quick search through emails for words including 'delivery', 'subscription', 'grocery' and 'parcel' can help catch anything forgotten.
For longer trips, she suggests letting a trusted neighbour, friend or family member know. 'Whether it's moving a parcel, watering plants, putting a bin out or spotting an issue early, having somebody nearby who knows you're away can provide real peace of mind,' she said. She also recommends using timer switches or smart lighting so the house appears occupied in the evenings.
Fire safety and social media caution
According to the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, a fire safety checklist should be completed before leaving for the airport: turn off all gas appliances that do not need to run while away; turn off and unplug all electrical devices not needed; turn off the water at the mains; close all internal doors; and make sure working smoke alarms are in place.
The Metropolitan Police echoes the advice to leave lights and a radio on a timer and to ask neighbours to close curtains after dark or park on the drive. Its website notes that travellers should not post about their trip on social media unless posts are set to private and only seen by friends.
