Preparing your home for holiday travel involves more than simply locking the front door. A live Christmas tree requires daily watering, perishable leftovers need a plan, package deliveries continue arriving, and freezing temperatures demand pipe protection. Below is a 10-point checklist compiled with guidance from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), the American Red Cross, NC State Extension, Nebraska Extension, and police departments in Ohio, Virginia, and Indiana.
Quick Summary: Pause mail and package deliveries; turn off and unplug non-essential electronics (tree lights, stove, countertop appliances); maintain a minimum indoor temperature of 55°F during freezing weather; manage leftovers and trash; create a lived-in appearance; secure all entry points; and enlist a trusted person to monitor the property.
Things to Do Before Leaving: The 10-Item Checklist
| Check | Source |
|---|---|
| 1. Pause mail and packages | USPS |
| 2. Turn off tree lights and handle the tree | ESFI |
| 3. Turn off the stove, oven and small appliances | American Red Cross; ESFI |
| 4. Protect your pipes | NC State Extension |
| 5. Deal with leftovers and the trash | Nebraska Extension; Westfield, IN |
| 6. Make the house look lived in, and keep the trip off social media | Police departments in OH, VA and IN |
| 7. Lock up and leave a key | Westfield, IN; Ross Township, OH, Police |
| 8. Ask police about a vacation check | Police departments in OH, VA and IN |
| 9. Ask someone you trust to check in | NC State Extension; Ross Township, OH, Police |
| 10. Do one last walkthrough | Red Cross, ESFI, NC State, Westfield, IN |
1Pause Your Mail and Packages
USPS Hold Mail service pauses delivery of letters and packages to an eligible address for 3 to 30 days. Requests can be submitted online up to 30 days in advance or by completing PS Form 8076 at a local Post Office. Note that this service cannot hold a single package and does not apply to other carriers; arrange those deliveries separately. If you opt to collect held mail at the Post Office, retrieve it within 10 days after the hold ends to avoid return to senders. Practical tip: Schedule the hold to begin on the first delivery day you will be absent.
2Turn Off the Tree Lights and Deal with the Tree
The Electrical Safety Foundation International advises watering a live tree daily, keeping decorations at least three feet from heat sources, and never leaving electrical decorations powered on while asleep or away. Practical tip: A live tree requires daily water; if you will be gone more than 24 hours, arrange for someone to water it or consider an artificial alternative.
3Turn Off the Stove, Oven and Small Appliances
The American Red Cross recommends verifying that all stoves, ovens, and small appliances are turned off before departure. ESFI further advises unplugging countertop appliances when not in use. The Red Cross also suggests testing smoke alarms monthly via the test button, making a pre-trip test a prudent habit. If holiday lighting shares outlets with other devices, review guidelines on what should never be plugged into a power strip.
4Protect Your Pipes in Freezing Weather
For freezing conditions, NC State Extension recommends maintaining heat at no lower than 55°F and arranging for someone to check the house daily. Additional measures include opening cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to reach pipes, locating the main water shut-off valve, allowing a faucet on exterior walls to drip, and insulating pipes in crawl spaces, attics, and near outer walls. Treat 55°F as a minimum baseline, not a guarantee for every structure.
5Deal with Leftovers and the Trash Before You Go
University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension advises refrigerating food within two hours of cooking or serving, dividing it into shallow containers no deeper than three inches, and consuming or freezing leftovers within three to four days. Frozen items should be stored in freezer-grade containers or moisture-resistant wrap at 0°F. Westfield, Indiana recommends asking a neighbor to place garbage bins out on collection day. Practical tip: Before leaving, eat or freeze anything that would exceed the 3–4 day window during your absence, and discard any food left out beyond the two-hour safety limit.
6Make the House Look Lived In, and Keep Your Trip Off Social Media
Ross Township Police Department (Ohio) recommends placing outdoor lights on timers, keeping entryways and the garage illuminated, and leaving a vehicle in the driveway—moved periodically by a helper. Both Ross Township and Leesburg Police (Virginia) stress holding mail or arranging collection, noting that piled mail signals vacancy. Police departments in Ohio, Virginia, and Indiana uniformly advise against posting travel plans online; Westfield adds disabling location services on mobile devices. Practical tip: Ask a neighbor to shovel snow or rake leaves, as an untended yard also suggests an empty home.
7Lock Up and Leave a Spare Key with Someone You Trust
Westfield, Indiana advises double-checking that all doors and windows are locked and activating any alarm system. Ross Township police explicitly warn against hiding keys outdoors (mailboxes, doormats, etc.) and recommend entrusting a spare key to a reliable person.
8Ask Police About a Vacation Check
Many departments offer periodic property checks. Ross Township Police (Ohio) requests a completed vacation check sheet with travel dates and contacts. Leesburg Police (Virginia) provides free exterior checks. Westfield, Indiana offers an online Vacation Security Check form, with frequency dependent on call volume. Programs vary; some exclude homes where a caretaker is present. Contact your local non-emergency number to confirm eligibility and procedures.
9Ask Someone You Trust to Check In
NC State Extension recommends daily house checks during absences. Ross Township police suggest a trusted neighbor or friend monitor the property; Westfield recommends a neighbor or house-sitter. Practical tip: Provide your house-sitter with travel dates, a contact number, and written instructions for pets and plants.
10Do One Last Walkthrough
Before locking the door, inspect every room. Confirm the stove, oven, and small appliances are off (Red Cross); decorative lights are off (ESFI); the thermostat is set appropriately for the weather (NC State Extension); and all doors and windows are secured with the alarm activated (Westfield).
A Quick Last-Hour Checklist
- Turn off tree lights, the stove, the oven, and small appliances.
- Set the thermostat to 55°F or higher in cold weather.
- Refrigerate or discard leftovers, and take out the trash.
- Set light and radio timers.
- Verify every door and window is locked; ensure no spare key is hidden outside.
- Give your caregiver contact details and a spare key.
- Confirm your mail hold dates.
Before you drive: The American Red Cross advises ensuring your vehicle is road-trip ready, sharing your itinerary with a family member or friend, and checking the forecast for your departure point and route.
Things to Do Before Leaving: Your Questions Answered
What should you do before leaving the house for holiday travel?
Pause mail delivery; turn off the stove, oven, small appliances, and tree lights; maintain heat in freezing weather; handle leftovers and trash; secure the property; and arrange for a trusted person to check on the home.
How long can USPS hold your mail?
USPS Hold Mail runs from 3 to 30 days. It cannot hold a single package and does not cover other carriers.
What temperature should you leave the heat at when away?
In freezing weather, NC State Extension recommends keeping the heat on at no lower than 55°F.
Should you unplug everything before you leave?
The Red Cross advises turning off stoves, ovens, and small appliances. ESFI recommends unplugging countertop appliances when not in use and never leaving electrical decorations on while away. Neither source recommends unplugging every device in the house.
Should you turn off your water before a trip?
NC State Extension advises knowing the location of your main shut-off valve, maintaining heat, and arranging daily checks. It does not recommend shutting off water for short trips. For extended absences, consult your plumber or insurer.
Should you post about your trip on social media?
No. Police departments in Ross Township (Ohio), Leesburg (Virginia), and Westfield (Indiana) all advise against announcing vacation plans online. Westfield also recommends disabling location services on mobile devices.
How long do holiday leftovers last before a trip?
Nebraska Extension states leftovers keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days and should be refrigerated within 2 hours. Eat or freeze anything that would exceed that window while you are away.
The Bottom Line
Pause the mail, power down appliances, protect pipes, manage leftovers, and create a lived-in appearance. Then lock up and enlist a trusted person to keep watch.