Make arrangements several months ahead of time for suitable accommodations. Remember to consider elderly guests and small children when making your reservations. You may want to sleep under the stars on a camping trip, but your 80-year-old Uncle Joe may need a cabin.
Arrange for pets to stay with friends or neighbors, or reserve a place for them in a kennel. If you are taking your pet with you, make sure your accommodations allow pets.
Schedule your car for a maintenance check 2 or 3 weeks before your trip. If you are handy in that area, check the tires, brakes, oil, belts, hoses, coolant and lights yourself. If you will be traveling by plane, make sure your reservations are secure and that you have a rental car lined up for the day of your arrival.
Set lights on timers several days before your trip to give the illusion someone is home. This way, you can make sure the timers are working properly. If you are going to be gone for more than a week, you should hire someone to cut your lawn for you. Potential intruders notice when there are no lights on and when your grass is overgrown.
Prepare a first aid kit and pack it in your suitcase. Include items like sun block, lotions, ibuprofen, and aloe in case of sunburn. When packing, don't forget items such as towels, washcloths and dish towels if you are staying somewhere other than a hotel.
Gather all necessary paperwork for traveling such as: hotel reservations, rental car information, driver's license, car registration, proof of insurance, and medical insurance cards. If you are leaving the country, don't forget your passport.
