Have you started your countdown for the vacations? The most awaited long vacation of the year is fast approaching and all are busy winding down their work and checking things off the lists. While it is important to do all of that, it is equally important to make sure to leave your apartment safe and secure before stepping out. You don't want to forget to turn off a knob or put away the garbage, only to be reminded of it after boarding a flight..

Here are some practical and easy to be followed tips before your apartment:

• Food
  Start using up the leftover vegetables, fruits and cooked food in your refrigerator a couple of days prior to your trip. Ensure you finish all of them or freeze them if it can be used once you get back from the vacation. Cooking some food and deep freezing them before you leave is a good option if you want to start eating healthy home cooked meals as soon as you get back. 
• Grocery
  Make a list of items that you have run out of and have to buy once you are back from your vacation. Save this list on your phone so that you can buy them before you get back home from the trip. This will make you feel more equipped to start your routine once you are back.
• Valuables
  Make sure you safe-keep all your valuables and important documents before you leave your apartment. God forbid, if there are intruders into the house while you are away, you don't want to give them access to anything that is valuable to you.
• Electronics
  Unplug, turn off or shutdown all possible electrical equipments and gadgets. Follow the instructions on them carefully to ensure safe and secure shutdown. This will ensure safety from fire hazards and help you save on your utility bills.
• Clean Up
  You don't want to come back into a dirty house filled with dirty dishes and stinky clothes. A vacation hangover can be cured to a great extend if you get back into a space that looks welcoming. So make sure to do your dishes and run your laundry before you leave your apartment. Put your garbage away and clean up and disinfect the bins inside the house.
• Bills & Mails
  Make sure you pay your bills before you leave home. You don't want to worry about the security of the web services or the speed on the internet service provider at the holiday destination to make your bill payments. Neither do you want to forget paying the bills to be burdened with a fine for late payment. Leave a note to the mailman to hold your mails or ask a neighbor to collect your mails in our absence.
• Check The List
  Make a list of these above mentioned items and ensure you have checked off each of them from the list before you step out of your apartment.

Follow these tips before leaving apartment for a vacation and enjoy a relaxing and rejuvenating vacation!