TUI cabin crew are urging holidaymakers to take a simple photo of their homes before leaving for the airport this August Bank Holiday weekend. With thousands of Britons expected to travel, Faye Whittaker, a TUI cabin crew member, says taking pictures or a short video during a final walkaround can help ease the worry of whether something has been left switched on or unlocked.
She said: "As cabin crew, I'm regularly away from home for days at a time and over the years I've learnt that some of the biggest travel mistakes happen before you have even left for the airport."
Why a photo of each room helps
Ms Whittaker recommends photographing each room once the final checks have been completed. "Once you have done your final walkaround, take a quick photo or video of each room before you leave," she said.
"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 said taking a video before leaving had become a "non-negotiable" for her because it takes less than a minute and allows her to check her phone if she starts worrying after leaving home. The images could also prove useful if holidaymakers need to check the condition of their property or belongings while away.
Ms Whittaker said: "While nobody likes to think about something going wrong, having recent photos or videos of your home and possessions may be helpful information to have available if you ever need to make an insurance claim or show what was inside your property."
Check deliveries before leaving
Holidaymakers are also being advised to check whether any food deliveries, parcels or subscription boxes are due to arrive while they are away. Ms Whittaker said: "It's also worth checking whether you have any food deliveries, parcels or subscription boxes scheduled while you are away. Meal kit services such as HelloFresh or Gousto, grocery deliveries and regular household subscriptions can easily slip your mind when you are focused on packing."
She recommends searching emails for words such as "delivery", "subscription", "grocery" or "parcel" to quickly identify anything due to arrive. "Nobody wants fresh food sitting on the doorstep for a week, and visible parcels can also make it obvious that nobody is home," she said.
Empty the fridge and bins
Another check is to deal with food and household waste before setting off. Ms Whittaker said: "One of the biggest mistakes people make is focusing on what's going into their suitcase and forgetting what's being left behind at home."
She advised checking the fridge for food that could expire, throwing away leftovers and taking out the bins before travelling, particularly during warmer weather. Her suggestion is to set a reminder for the evening before travelling covering the fridge, bins and food waste.
Tell someone you trust and do a final five-minute check
For people going away for more than a few days, Ms Whittaker also recommends telling a trusted neighbour, friend or family member that the property will be empty. She said someone nearby could collect a parcel, move bins, water plants or spot a problem while the owners are away. For longer trips, she also suggests using timer switches or smart lighting to make a property appear occupied and asking someone to move post or parcels.
Finally, Ms Whittaker advised holidaymakers to carry out one last walk around their home immediately before leaving. "One of the most important things I do before every trip is a final walkaround of the house," she said. "Even when you've checked everything earlier in the day, it's surprisingly easy to miss an open window, unlocked door or appliance left running when you're rushing to leave for the airport."
She recommends following the same route around the property every time, rather than moving randomly between rooms. Her final checklist includes windows, doors, plugs, taps and appliances, as well as checking that keys have not been left in locks or somewhere visible from outside.
For holidaymakers already rushing to finish their packing, the advice is simple: take a few minutes to check the home before heading for the airport – and take a photo so you can stop worrying once the journey has begun.
