The pre-holiday home checklist: What to switch off, lock up and never forget before you leave

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of heading off on holidays. Suitcase packed. Passport checked. Fridge cleaned out (well … mostly). But before you close the front door behind you, there are a few important things worth doing around the house – especially when it comes to electrical appliances.

Not only can turning things off save power and money, it can also reduce the risk of electrical faults, leaks and nasty surprises when you return home.

Here’s a practical pre-holiday checklist for the Starts at 60 crowd.

Electrical appliances you should turn off before you go away

1. Unplug small kitchen appliances
Toasters, kettles, coffee machines, air fryers and sandwich presses don’t need to stay plugged in while you’re away.

Aside from saving standby power, unplugging them reduces fire risk from electrical surges or faults.

2. Turn off the television and entertainment systems
Many TVs, soundbars and streaming devices remain in standby mode 24/7.

Switch them off at the wall before you leave. The same goes for gaming consoles and DVD players that haven’t been touched since 2012 but are somehow still plugged in.

3. Disconnect computers and chargers
Laptop chargers, desktop computers, printers and phone chargers all continue drawing small amounts of electricity even when not in use.

It’s also smart protection against storm-related power surges.

4. Switch off heaters and electric blankets
This one sounds obvious, but it’s worth double-checking.

Portable heaters, heated throws and electric blankets should all be completely turned off and unplugged before leaving home.

5. Consider unplugging the microwave
You don’t have to – but if you’ll be away for several weeks, it’s another easy way to cut standby power use.

You’ll also avoid returning home to a blinking clock demanding to be reset.

6. Turn off washing machines and dishwashers at the wall
Even when not running, appliances connected to water can pose a leak risk.

If possible, turn off the water supply taps to washing machines and dishwashers as well.

7. Hot water system — yes or no?
If you’re going away for more than a week or two, it may be worth turning your hot water system to holiday mode or switching it off entirely.

Check your manufacturer’s instructions first, particularly for solar or continuous-flow systems.

8. Don’t turn off the fridge – unless you empty it completely
If you’re only away for a short trip, leave the fridge running.

For longer holidays, you can turn it off – but only after completely emptying, cleaning and drying it. Otherwise you may return to smells that could knock over a small animal.

Things you should leave on

Not everything should be switched off.

Security systems and cameras
Wi-Fi (if connected devices rely on it)
Timed lights
Pool filtration systems (depending on season and duration away)
Medical devices
If you’re unsure, check manuals or ask an electrician.

Other important jobs before you leave home

Clean out the fridge
Throw away anything likely to expire while you’re away — milk, meat, soft fruit and leftovers are the usual suspects.

Future-you will be grateful.

Take out the rubbish
Especially kitchen rubbish. There’s no warm welcome quite like returning home to mystery smells and fruit flies.

Stop mail and deliveries
A bulging mailbox is a dead giveaway nobody’s home.

Ask a neighbour to collect mail or arrange a mail hold through Australia Post⁠ .

Water the garden
Or better yet, ask someone to do it for you.

Dead pot plants are an expensive souvenir.

Check windows and doors properly
Not just locked – actually checked.

Many people discover too late that a bathroom window or garage side door was left open.

Set a few lights on timers
A couple of lamps turning on in the evening can make the house look lived in.

You don’t need the entire home glowing like a cricket stadium.

Tell someone you trust
A friend, neighbour or family member should know:

where you’re going
how long you’ll be away
how to contact you in an emergency
Check your insurance
Some home insurance policies have conditions if a property is left vacant for extended periods.

It’s worth reading the fine print before you leave.

Freeze a cup of water trick
One clever travel hack: freeze a cup of water and place a coin on top.

If the coin sinks to the bottom while you’re away, you’ll know there was a power outage long enough for the freezer contents to thaw.

Not foolproof — but surprisingly handy.

One last thing…

Before you walk out the door, do one final slow lap of the house.

Check taps. Stove. Doors. Passport. Chargers. Medications.

Then stop worrying and enjoy the holiday. Because if you’ve done all this properly, the only shock waiting for you when you get home should be how quickly the holiday went.