What To Do Before Leaving Your Apartment for Break

By Naomi Fink on November 23, 2020

This article is brought to you by GradGuard. We protect college students and their families from the financial risks of college life, like providing a refund for tuition or replacing a stolen backpack when your school may not. When the unexpected happens, GradGuard’s tuition insurance and renters insurance can help you get back on track.

This semester has been a screen-filled blur and college students are certainly looking forward to a well-deserved break. Heading home for the holidays and/or winter vacation? Here are eight things to do before leaving your apartment for break.

1. Clean up

No one likes coming home to a messy apartment…That means cleaning up before you go. Leave enough time to sweep the kitchen, make your bed, and put away your laundry. Most importantly, don’t forget to take out the garbage! Trash left alone for a few days or more smells bad and attracts flies. And no one wants to come home to a smelly, bug-infested apartment.

Traveling can take a lot out of you, so cleaning up your apartment before you leave also means that you can relax when you get back. Remember how exhausted you’re going to be later and put in the time and effort now.

Photo via Pexels

2. Clear out the fridge

Before you leave your apartment, get rid of food that is likely to go bad while you’re away. Check out those expiration dates and give your food to friends, throw it out, or freeze it.  As a rule of thumb, if you’re leaving for more than a week, then your fridge should be mostly empty.

Remember though that mostly does not mean entirely. Odds are you’re going to be hungry after traveling so make sure you have enough food in your fridge, freezer, or pantry that you don’t have to run to the grocery store right when you get back to your apartment.

3. Make sure your pets/plants are taken care of

When leaving your apartment for an extended period of time, make sure you have someone to take care of your pets and/or plants. My leafy green desk plant (“Planty” as he was endearingly called) was very much dead after a week of spring break turned into six months of water-free corona vacation.

4. Pause incoming mail/packages

You’ll also want someone to take care of your mail and packages while you’re away. Ask a friend to keep an eye on your mail and bring in your packages or get in touch with your local post office and ask for your mail to be put on hold temporarily until you get back.

Piled up mail and packages are an obvious sign that you’re away, and besides increasing the risk that these items are stolen, neglected mail and packages also send out a message that says, “No one’s home — feel free to break in!” Take simple precautions. Pause incoming mail/packages before you leave your apartment.

Photo via Unsplash

5. Adjust the thermostat/unplug electronics

Don’t run up your electric bill while you’re away. Turn off the lights in your apartment, unplug your electronics, and triple-check that your stovetop, oven, and hair iron are all off. If you’re worried about leaving your apartment unattended, consider leaving a light on a timer to give off the impression that there’s still someone home. Also, be sure to turn down the thermostat while you’re away. There’s no point in heating up an empty apartment and although it may take a few extra minutes to warm up when you get back, turning down the thermostat will save you money in the meantime.

6. Make sure you have whatever you need

Whether you’re going home for a few days or a few months, make sure you have all the items you need (and want) with you. Clothing, toiletries, electronics, chargers, gifts for the holidays…whatever fits in your suitcase! If the semester isn’t over for you yet, remember to bring home any textbooks and coursework you need to finish strong as well.

Now’s also a good time to bring home any of those items you’ve been meaning to bring home for a while such as overdue library books or broken items you need help fixing. Most importantly, don’t forget your keys! As exciting as going home or on vacation may be, you don’t want to be locked out when you get back to your apartment.

Photo via Pexels

7. Lock up and secure your valuables

Protect your home and your stuff by making sure your apartment is secure while you’re away. How can you do this? Put away your valuables or take them with you. Take inventory and look over your renter’s insurance policy. Lock up any and all windows, entrances to your apartment, and safes. Turn on the alarm if you have one. You can even ask trusted neighbors or local police officers to keep an eye on your apartment. There’s no way to guarantee that your items will be safe but taking these precautions will definitely increase the likelihood.

8. Say goodbye

Never leave without saying goodbye. Let your friends/family/roommates know that you’re heading out of town and spend time with them before you go. My roommates and I had a super fun last night together complete with Just Dance, Karaoke, and apple-pie making. Spread the love while you can!

COVID-19 has limited traveling, and for many of us, this holiday season is the first time we’re returning home all semester. Protect your apartment by taking these eight steps before you leave. Enjoy your break!

It’s no secret that college costs a lot of money. Make sure your investment in higher education is protected with GradGuard. Our affordable tuition insurance and renters insurance plans are specifically designed for college students. Customizable plans make it easy to protect your tuition, room and board, laptop, bike, and so much more.

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