With the end of the year in sight, everyone is preparing for the holidays. If you’re going away on holiday you’ll most likely remember to pack the usual sunblock, towel and hat, but what you might not consider are the essential checks for your car and home. Here’s a comprehensive checklist of all you’ll need to check before you head off on your vacation.
Roadtripping?
Whether you’re beach bound or planning on a quiet retreat in the bush, if you’re hitting the road this Festive Season, there are a few checks you can do to ensure your car gets you to your destination and back, safely.
- Battery check
A flat battery is sure to spoil a great vacation. If you haven’t serviced your car recently, it’s a good idea to have the strength and terminals of the battery checked before you travel long distances. - Car fluids
Check the oil, brake fluid, coolant and windscreen water levels when you stop to fill up before hitting the open road. Low fluid levels in your car can do serious damage if not checked often. You can never go wrong with having an extra bottle of water in your car just in case. - Tyre tread
Your tyres are what keep you moving. Flat and worn tyres increase the danger of skidding and are a major cause of accidents. Tyres heat up on long trips making them susceptible to wear and tear as well as contribute to blowouts. Check that your tyre tread is at least 1.6mm. - Tyre pressure
Another important tyre check is the pressure. This is a quick check that can be done at a filling station en route. Underinflated tyres can contribute to a blowout and might also be an indication of another problem such as a puncture. Remember to also check the pressure and condition of your spare wheel. - Lights and indicators
Check that your lights, including headlights, indicators and brake lights, are in a good working condition as they contribute greatly to your safety, particularly in congested traffic and at night. You might also consider checking your headlight alignment to ensure you have enough coverage on the road as well as to ensure the angle doesn’t hinder the vision of oncoming traffic. - Roadside emergency gear
It’s compulsory that South African motorists have emergency triangles in their cars. Should you break down alongside the road, you’re required to place the triangles at a safe distance in front of and behind your vehicle to warn other road users. Jumper cables are also an emergency must-have that can get you out of a jam should your battery need a charge. Another important emergency item is one you carry with you every day, your cellphone. Consider getting a car battery charger to keep your phone fully charged throughout long distance trips as you never know when you might need to call for help. Download the OUTsurance app before you start on a road trip; it could come in handy to request a Pointsman if you’re in the Cape Town area or to use Help@OUT emergency roadside assistance if you’re stuck on the side of the road.
Leaving your home behind?
There are easy ways to make sure you don’t take unnecessary worries with you on holiday. Follow these house checks for some added peace of mind.
- Light timer
If possible set one or two lights in your home on a timer. This will simulate activity when you’re away and save on electricity as opposed to leaving lights on permanently. Installing a timer for your lights is surprisingly easy and will function in the same way a geyser or sprinkler timer would. - Post
If you have mail delivered to your house, ask a neighbour or a friend to collect it for you. Nothing tips off criminals to an empty house like a pile of post outside. - Water supply
Close the water supply to your home, this will help prevent devastating damage should a pipe or geyser burst while you’re on holiday. - Geyser
Switch off your geyser. There’s no sense in heating 200 litres of water every day if you’re not going to be there to enjoy it, right? And if you’re switching off the water supply, it’s always safer to switch off the power to your geyser so your element doesn’t burn out, should the water drain out of the geyser for some reason. - Alarm system battery
Make sure the backup battery of your alarm system is working and fully charged. This will ensure your home stays armed should you experience loadshedding or lightning damage. - Windows and security
This might seem like an obvious check but when you’re rushing to leave on vacation it’s easy to overlook the small stuff. Double-check that all your windows are closed properly and that all security gates are locked, so you can enjoy your time away with one less worry. - Clear out perishables
Do yourself a favour and empty out all perishable goods from your fridge and kitchen. Sour milk, rotten meat and mouldy fruit and vegetables aren’t the kind of surprise you’d want on your return home. - Unplug appliances
Lightning and power surges can cause serious damage to electrical appliances. Unplug any unnecessary appliances to avoid potential loss while you’re away.
One last important check before you set out on your vacation has to be to download the OUTsurance app. With this app you can make use of Help@OUT, a free 24 hour home and roadside emergency service. Even if you’re not an OUTsurance client, you can make one free emergency call! (Just so you can see what you’re missing…) So download it now before you hit the road and take OUTsurance with you wherever you go this holiday. #Appyholidays