The first holiday season of 2020 is almost here, so here's an Easter holiday guide for you.
Your family holiday
This Easter holiday season is the first opportunity your family gets during 2020, to relax, unwind and - of course - turn off that annoying morning alarm clock. While every family chooses to spend their Easter holiday differently, whether you’ve chosen to travel or staycation, we hope you get to enjoy quality time together.
Locking up for the holidays
If you are going away for a short break, it’s important to ensure that your home remains secure while you’re enjoying your Easter holiday. Your to do list for locking up for the Easter holiday season should include:
- Getting in touch with your security company: Schedule and conduct an alarm test with your security company, to ensure that all your security measures - from beams, to sensors, remotes, and electric fencing - are in good working order.
- Roaming around your house: Yes, we mean it. But we don’t mean a simple walk around the exterior of your home. Instead, we recommend you patrol your home as though you were a criminal, and look out for gaps in your security system. A small crack in a window pane, or one dysfunctional strand on your electric fence, or a faulty sensor on your alarm system, could give opportunistic criminals the exact thing they’re looking for. Don’t take chances with this inspection.
- Fix before you pack: Of course, your home maintenance checklist seems to grow every week, but we’d recommend prioritising any repairs that need to be done to your security measures, before you leave for your Easter holiday.
Personal security checkup
And, if you are hitting the road or the skies this Easter holiday, you should update your personal security measures too. And yes, that’s for every member of the family. Your personal security measures should include:
- Locking up your luggage: Make sure your luggage locks are working effectively and, if you’re hopping onto an aeroplane, don’t forget to have your luggage wrapped at the airport.
- Personal security on your phone: Installing a panic button application, linked to your security company, and/or your emergency contacts, is essential.
- Updating your emergency contacts: Updating your list of emergency contacts, medical information, and similar necessities, is a must, before you travel.
- Sharing your itinerary: Don’t be shy to let people know where you’ll be going, but keep that information to a close circle of friends and family. Checking in to holiday resorts, or any online post that tells people you may not know that you’re not at home, is not recommended. Rather, keep the Easter holiday snapshots and social posts for sharing online when you return home. Do make sure, however, that someone knows where you and your family should be arriving, and when, so they know when and how to raise the alarm if your travel arrangements don’t go according to your plans.
- Backup your documents: Important documentation, including passports, Identity Documents, insurance policies, and the like, should be backed up digitally and securely stored. We’d recommend storing digital copies of your travel documentation in a secure cloud-based online service, as this means they’ll remain accessible to you, no matter where you are in the world.
Preparing your pets
Going away on holiday is always a lovely adventure, and if you’re able to make it a pet-friendly getaway, that’s all the better! But, if your pets are staying behind while you and your family go away during the Easter holiday season, we recommend:
- Microchipping your pets: Scanning a microchip to identify a lost or stray pet is super simple, and far more effective than trying to ask a distressed animal where they live. Make sure your personal contact information attached to your pet’s microchip is up to date, so your local vet or animal shelter can easily contact you in an emergency.
- Book your pet sitter: If you’re looking to book a pet sitter, it may be preferable to book a full-time house sitter who can take care of your pets while you’re away. Scroll through your neighbourhood’s online community groups to find a reputable, reliable pet and house sitter. Don’t forget to ask for reliable references.
- Book your pet’s Easter holiday: If you’d prefer your pets have their own Easter holiday vacation, find a pet kennel that’s perfect for them. Whether it be an open-range holiday care, or a kennelling service, select the pet holiday stay that makes the most sense for your precious furry friends.
Staying home for Easter holiday
While you may be planning a staycation for this Easter holiday, there’s no reason to not follow the same guidelines as though you were going away. From a home security perspective, and allowing you the time to enjoy your home this Easter holiday, now’s a great moment to schedule in your home maintenance tasks, redo your seasonal decor, or get your home ready for winter. A staycation is often said to be far more relaxing than a farflung holiday and - after a busy start to the year - it may be the perfect option for you and your family. No alarm clocks, no schedules, no stress over finding forgotten ski shoes, and - best of all - enough time to catch up on all those episodes of your favourite television series!
Your staycation activity list
If you’re homebound for the Easter holiday, we recommend:
- Using this time to clear out the cupboards: We’re getting ready for winter, and that means it’s time to swap out your wardrobe. Whether you Kon Mari or simply reorganise your cupboards, the Easter holiday presents the perfect opportunity to donate, pass on, or repurpose your family’s extra clothing.
- Update your decor: Cosying up for the chilly evenings that are set to come may seem like a faraway dream right now but, winter will be on her way soon. It’s time to update your decor, haul out the cosy blankets, and switch things up for the season.
- Planning an Easter Egg Hunt: It is the season for chocolate and fun, so here’s how to plan an unforgettable Easter Egg Hunt in your own garden during this Easter holiday season.
- Acting like a tourist in your home town: Take a little inspiration from the tourists in your town, and become one yourself! This Easter holiday season, be the tourist in your own town, and find family-friendly, fun activities to enjoy. Every town has them!
Now that you’re ready for the Easter holiday season, there’s just one thing left to do, when the time is right: set your out-of-office message on. And, if you’re looking for some home inspiration, head on over to our Advice Centre for tips and tricks on how to get your home ready for winter.