With all the things a family needs to do to get ready for a trip, it’s handy to have a pre-departure check list to keep things in hand. Grandma Heidi is my mother-in-law. She and her husband, Dr. Widger, are seasoned travelers. For more recommendations from Grandma Heidi, see Grandma Heidi’s Packing List and Grandma Heidi’s Departure Day Check List.
Pre-Departure Check List
- Fill prescriptions for medication
- Get a backup prescription for medications that my be lost in transit
- Scan birth certificates and passports into your computer if you’re taking it with you.
- Send a copy of birth certificates and passports to a friend or family member
- Send travel itinerary to a friend / family member
- If you and your husband have health care proxies, scan them into your system as well
- Empty the refrigerator of all things that can spoil
- Confirm arrangements for pets
- Do last minute laundry and ironing
- Put mail on hold
- Pay bills
- Set e-mail autoresponders
- Final instructions to office manager / secretary / housekeeper, etc.
- Notify school teacher / principal that kids will be out of school
As we get ready to depart on another road trip, I was reminded of a few things Grandpa always takes care of that I neglected to put on the list. Applicable, obviously, only if planning a car trip.
Check the oil, tires and tire pressure, and windshield wiper fluid before departure., If any concerns about the performance of your car, have a reputable repair shop check it out before departure.
And, because of the wonderful app OUR GROCERIES and because we are renting a house, I have 40 items on my grocery store list for our first shop already listed and as things pop into my head, I add them. Fun thing is new addition of being able to use my desktop computer when available.
Grandma Heidi
Grandma Heidi