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With a little bit of careful preparation - all listed below like security tips, packing tips and unofficial information on East Midlands Airport luggage allowances you'll be sure to have peace of mind for when you check-in and when you're jetting off to sunnier climes. |
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Preparations And Planning ... |
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Making sure you've prepared you, your luggage and your home is just as important as your holiday.
Use this easy to use, at a glance guide and forget any
last minute worries.
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Preparing To Leave Home ... |
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Here are some general things you might need to think about and do before jetting off on holiday - either to save yourself money, any cancellation fees, or to protect your home from potential burglars.
- Cancel your deliveries like newspapers, milk etc.
- Leave ordering any packages until you get back. This is especially important if they come via Recorded Deliver, as the package will be return to sender after a week.
- Avoid cancellation fines by moving any meetings or appointments that are when you are away.
- Ask a local friend, good neighbour or family member if they could pop by from time to time to remove any post from your doorstep, and also to water your plants.
- Bin, cook or freeze any perishable items in your fridge so they don't go rotten whilst you are away.
- Save energy and money by switching off all plug sockets including your television, computer, etc.
- Again, to save money and energy turn your central heating and hot water off in the Summer. And in the Winter turn it right down - but don't turn it off altogether, as this could affect your pipes in the freezing weather.
- Make sure any pets you have are well looked after. Pack their favourite toys if going to a cattery or kennel. If being looked after by friends make sure they have meet each other plenty of times before you travel.
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Security Tips For Your Home... |
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Whilst we all love going away on holiday don't forget to make sure you have protected your home. Otherwise you risk returning to a home that's been burgled.
Following our top 10 home security tips provided below give you peace of mind when you are away that you have secured your most valuable asset and sentimental possessions.
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Top 10 Security Tips |
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1. Automatic Lighting |
Light timers fixed onto your lights will confuse burglars by looking like you are home. |
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2. Post |
Arrange for a friend or neighbour to clear away built up post on your doorstep - otherwise it's a picture for all to see that you aren't home.
Or, Royal Mail's KeepSafe service stores your mail for up to two months. |
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3. Deliveries |
Make sure you've cancelled your newspaper, milk and such like deliveries so again you aren't advertising you aren't home. |
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4. Baggage Tags: |
Defer writing your home address on your return luggage label until the last possible moment i.e. when you are checking-in for your return flight. Otherwise, those who are handling, or even seeing, your luggage will know you are away for a few weeks and what home will be standing empty. |
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5. House Checking: |
See if you can get friends, family or neighbours to pop by and check your house every now and then when you are away.
Not only will it mean your house is checked it's all safe, they can water your plants and remove your post from the doorstep, but it will look like someone is home. Also ask if they can pull and draw curtains each time they pop round so again it looks like the property is lived in.
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6. Neighbourhood Watch: |
Seriously consider joining your local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme - www.neighbourhoodwatch.net. |
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7. Valuable Items: |
Your valuable items that are being left at home, plus any important documents could be locked in a home safe or with your Bank. Alternatively ask a trusted friend or family member to look after them for you.
Make sure
valuables such as TVs, DVDs and stereos aren't visible from outside. Otherwise this is very tempting for potential burglars looking in. |
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8. Alarm: |
Arrange for a local friend, family or neighbour to be a temporary key holder for your alarm system, in case of any emergencies or false alarms. |
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9. Outdoor Storage: |
Think about placing your expensive golf clubs, power tools and bikes inside instead of in the garage or shed whilst you are away. |
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10. Locks: |
Check that all your windows and doors are properly locked. |
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it's also worth contacting your local police force to ask about their security home checks, whereby they look at your home offering improved security measures you can take. |
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When packing your bags you need to think carefully about what you need to pack, making sure it doesn't go above the weight limit of luggage allowances or that you haven't included any restricted or prohibited items.
Luggage allowances for most airlines is 32kg or 70lbs per bag, however this can vary so look on your flight ticket where often the weight limit can be found.
If your luggage weighs more than the 32kgs or 70lbs you will need to either repack the bags into a number of smaller bags and pay a heft fine for taking the excess luggage, or discard the additional weight (this will be destroyed).
Do check with the airline before travel if you have to carry extra luggage with you. The same applies if you are carrying large or outsized items of baggage.
At check-in you'll be asked some questions about your luggage - like who packed it and whether anyone has added anything to it whilst being at the airport.
Check out the Security section of this website for more unofficial information on security checks you'll be required to pass through. |
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