With the August Bank Holiday weekend approaching, thousands of Britons are preparing for last-minute packing and airport trips. However, TUI cabin crew are warning that one of the easiest holiday mistakes can occur before travellers even reach the airport.
Faye Whittaker, a TUI cabin crew member, is urging holidaymakers to photograph every room in their home before going away, after years of witnessing how small oversights can quickly turn into holiday stress. She has also revealed four other checks that cabin crew perform before every trip.
The photo trick that takes less than a minute
Faye says taking photos of every room before leaving is one of the simplest ways to avoid holiday stress. She describes it as a "non-negotiable" before any trip, helping travellers check their phones and put their minds at ease if they start second-guessing themselves.
"Once you have done your final walkaround, take a quick photo or video of each room before you leave," she explained. "We've all had that last-minute panic of wondering whether we left the iron, straighteners or oven on. I've even been on my way to the airport before and found myself trying to picture whether I definitely switched everything off."
She added that the photo trick takes less than a minute and can also be useful for insurance claims, providing recent photos or videos of the home and possessions.
Four other checks before every trip
Faye also highlighted the importance of pausing or rearranging deliveries. She advises searching emails for words like 'delivery', 'subscription', 'grocery' or 'parcel' to spot anything due to arrive while away, as visible parcels can make it obvious that nobody is home.
She recommends clearing out the fridge and bins before leaving, as milk, leftovers, fruit and food waste can create unpleasant smells, especially in warmer months. Setting a phone reminder called 'fridge, bins and food waste' for the evening before travel can help.
For longer trips, Faye suggests letting a trusted neighbour, friend or family member know, and using timer switches or smart lighting so the home appears occupied in the evenings.
Finally, she advises a final five-minute walkaround of the house, checking windows, doors, plugs, taps and appliances, and ensuring keys are not left in locks or visible from outside.
