The Keep talk:Habitican Exploration and Research Organization (H.E.R.O.)/Challenge 4:Be Prepared

To-do list for trips lasting a week or less. 
 * Make a complete meal and freeze it. Something like a soup, chili, or stew is good.
 * Back up your computer files (you should be doing this every week anyway) and store them in a safe place (including from fire and water damage).
 * Take pictures of every room and the exterior.
 * Call your credit card company and let them know you’ll be using the card.
 * If necessary, turn thermostat down (in winter) or up (in summer) so climate control is minimal. NOTE: in winter, the house should remain at least 50 degrees F (15 C) to prevent the pipes from freezing. In the summer the A/C should not run; nobody’s home to keep cool (unless you have pets, then set it to 75 degrees F (25 C)).
 * Keep a lamp plugged into a timer to come on at dusk and turn off at 11:00 PM).
 * Call someone trustworthy and tell them your itinerary (see next few items)
 * Make sure someone can take care of the dog and cats (walks? Can you leave your dog out for a week? Some people do, but you still have to feed them.)
 * Have someone pick up your mail every day, or stop mail delivery if you can’t find someone.
 * Stop newspaper delivery.
 * Make a plain-paper copy of your passport. Never leave your actual passport with someone, leave the copy.
 * If you have a health condition, bring documentation. If you need medication, bring it.
 * Lock doors, gates, windows etc.

<span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;">For trips lasting a week or two, add these tasks. <p style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:100%">
 * <p style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:100%">Turn off and unplug all appliances (fridge stays on). This may require adjustments to the thermostat instructions above)
 * <p style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:100%">For quickly-perishable foods in the fridge, give them to someone. Note: bread, eggs, butter, nut milks, and most juices are OK to leave for two weeks; leftovers, meats (except lunch meats, but why are you eating those anyway?), soft fruits, and vegetables cannot be left for two weeks (apples will last that long). Frozen foods are fine for two weeks.
 * <p style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:100%">Have someone drive by the house every day or two, and call if anything seems out of order.
 * <p style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:100%">Set email Out Of Office reply, but DON’T tell anyone you’re going somewhere!
 * <p style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:100%">Have someone mow your lawn once a week.
 * <p style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:100%">Check if bills are due; if so, pay them.
 * <p style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:100%">Check your plants; if they are high-maintenance, plan for that (your house-sitter can water them, there are good auto-waterers etc.)

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;">For trips lasting longer than two weeks, add these tasks. <p style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:100%">
 * <p style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:100%">DON’T make a frozen meal for your return!
 * <p style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:100%">Turn off and unplug all appliances including the fridge. This means emptying all things from the refrigerator and freezer; give it away or compost it.
 * <p style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:100%">Turn off the main water supply (include the gas supply if your house has gas, or the propane tank if that’s what you have).
 * <p style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:100%">If you have scheduled deliveries, stop them.
 * <p style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:100%">Make sure you have enough medication etc. for your conditions both for your trip and for a few days when you return. Usually prescriptions only give you a month’s supply.

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:100%">A dog’s tale (based on a true story)

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;">All right, I’m going for a ride! I love rides: the smells, the wind in my face… why are we turning here? What’s this place? I smell lots of dogs and cats – and they’re afraid! What are my humans doing to me?

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:100%">My owners are<span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"> dragging me in here! There are strangers! They sound nice but I don’t trust them. Now THEY are taking me! Oh no, my family’s leaving! I’d better take a dump and spread it around; maybe the strangers will return me to my family.

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;">No good! They’ve locked me in with another dog! I have to show him who’s boss – grrr! Growl!

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;">The strangers came again and put me in my own kennel. It’s huge! I’m going to run around.

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;">The strangers call my humans; I know because I hear their name. “She bit one of the other dogs. We had to put her in her own kennel. Can you come get her? What do you mean you’re in Florida? You just got there and you won’t be home for a week? We’ll be charging you an extra $10 a day.”

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;">My humans are back! I’d better give each stranger a kiss – no hard feelings!

<p style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;">Dan odea (talk) 13:20, June 7, 2017 (UTC)