Before you leave on any temp medical travel jobs, it’s important to remember to set your house up for success in your absence! While your focus may be on new experiences, packing your scrubs, and securing housing at your new destination, don’t forget about your current housing. Whether you’re gone for 8 weeks or 6 months, it’s critical to prepare your home for your time away.
Here’s a checklist of what to do before you hit the road, for peace of mind and to protect your property!
1. Security Measures
Detering crime and safeguarding your house is crucial if you’re going to be away for months at a time. Here are some steps you can take to secure your home before heading out on any temp medical travel jobs.
- Install a smart security system. Systems like Ring or SimpliSafe offer door/window sensors, motion detection, and even video doorbells that are all controllable from your phone. You can check on your property and what’s happening in real time, leaving nothing to the imagination.
- Use light timers. Set your indoor lights to turn on and off at varying times to mimic activity inside your home. This can discourage individuals from entering unannounced if they think you are home to catch them.
- Pause your mail and deliveries. Make sure you visit the postal service to pause mail or forward it to your new temporary address. Don’t let packages pile up on your doorstep because it can be a major giveaway that you’re not home.
- Let a trusted neighbor know you’ll be away. Give them your contact info and ask them to keep an eye out for anything unusual. Plus, you’ll feel better knowing there is someone close by if something goes wrong or you need someone to show up quickly.
- Double-check all entry points. Before you leave, lock all doors and windows, including basement and garage entries. Consider installing extra locks or security bars. Take the extra time before you go to meticulously check each point so you know everything is locked.
2. Electrical Precautions
While your security measures will be top of mind, there are electrical precautions that should be made before leaving. These can help to save you money and reduce your risk of a catastrophe.
- Unplug non-essential electronics. This helps avoid power surges and saves on phantom energy use. Unplug TVs, kitchen appliances, gaming consoles, etc.
- Adjust your thermostat. Set it to a temperature that conserves energy but still protects your home. Keep in mind freezing pipes for the winter months and keeping any house plants alive for spring and summer assignments.
- Install surge protectors. For appliances that must stay plugged in (like your fridge), use surge protectors to avoid damage during storms or outages.
3. Plumbing Checks
Water damage can be structurally damaging and leave you with a headache when you come home from traveling. These steps can help you avoid water woes!
- Shut off the main water valve. If no one will be home, turn off the main water line to prevent leaks or floods.
- Check for leaks. Inspect faucets, under-sink pipes, and toilets for leaks. Fix any drips or slow leaks before you head out. This prevents them from becoming bigger issues while you’re gone.
- Run your garbage disposal with ice and vinegar. This helps clean it out and eliminate odors that could build up over time.
4. General Household Tasks
There are some general household tasks you’ll want to make sure you take care of before you go on assignment. These items will make your return home a smooth sailing.
- Empty the fridge and pantry. Go through and either toss or donate perishables. No one wants to come home to spoiled milk or moldy fruit.
- Take out the trash and recycling. This way you can avoid foul smells and unwelcome pests.
- Do laundry and dishes before you go. Leaving dirty items can lead to mold or unwanted smells when you return. Not to mention, the last thing you want to worry about after returning home from your temp medical travel jobs is chores.
- Schedule any necessary home maintenance. If you’ll be gone long-term, arrange for seasonal upkeep like snow removal, lawn care, or HVAC servicing. This will help it seem like you’re still home and keep everything in tip-top shape.
Before you lock the door, walk through your home like a guest or inspector. Look at everything with a fresh eye; is anything at risk of leaking, breaking, or signaling that the house is empty? Taking 10 extra minutes here could save you major stress later.
By handling these security, electrical, plumbing, and household tasks before your travel assignment, you’ll leave your home in great shape and head into your new role with confidence and peace of mind. Ready to find your perfect assignment? Contact a recruiter today!
