An awesome pre-road checklist to prepare you for all your adventures

Preparing for a holiday trip includes getting your house - and car -  in good order before you leave!

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes, 57 seconds.

Preparing for the holidays can be a stressful time and the last thing you need is to find out that your car isn’t ready for a road trip. We’ve put together the ultimate checklist to ensure your car is ready for a holiday drive on the infamous South African highways. We’ve also put together a list to help you get your home and loved ones ready for all your road trip adventures ahead.

Get your home holiday-ready with our house preparation checklist and have a relaxing vacation

You don’t need to be worrying about the safety of your home when you’re on holiday.

• Check for all points of access in your home and ensure all gates,  fences and burglar bars are in tip-top shape before you leave.
• Tell your immediate neighbours (if you have good relations with them) and security company when you will be away and when you’re expected to return.
• Tell your security company who they can expect to find on the property if you get a house sitter or loved one to visit your home occasionally during your holiday.
• Don’t post your plans on social media platforms. You put your home at risk of theft by alerting a wider audience to the fact that your home is empty.
• Brief your house sitter on your security and make sure they know who to call in an emergency, how to set all the relevant alarms, lock the gates properly and any other measures you have in place.
• A bulging mailbox is an obvious sign of an empty house, so make sure your mail is collected or better yet, not delivered at all.
• Trim the hedges or trees by your gate so intruders can’t hide behind them.
• Park your car out of sight in a secure area.
• Don’t leave any keys visible. Ensure that they are out of sight in a drawer that’s accessible to you.
• Check your plugs, electrics and unplug anything that could be affected by a lightning storm especially if you don’t have a house sitter. Internet routers are particularly susceptible to lightning damage.
• Pack away all ladders and tools as these can be used to break into your house.
• Give your spare keys to someone you trust. Have them pop into your home at varying hours. Remember that movement in and out of the house is a deterrent to criminals.

The go-to checklist for your car before you go on holiday

These are the vital questions you need to ask yourself about your car to ensure it’s ready to hit the road for the holidays and that you arrive safely.

• Is your licence disk valid?
• Do you have a spare key in case of an emergency?
• Have you checked your car’s battery?
• Are the manual and insurance documents in the glove box for emergencies?
• Does your windscreen have any cracks or chips?
• Have you checked your engine hoses for cracks?
• Have you checked your engine belts for wear and tear?
• Are your wiper blades clean and in good condition?
• Is your spare tyre fully pumped?
• Are your tyres in good condition?
• Are your brake pads in good shape?
• Do you have the right amount of brake fluid?
• Do you have your hazard triangle for emergencies?
• Are all your car lights working properly?
• Have you checked your air filter?
• Is your radiator working?
• Are your shock absorbers and suspension systems in good condition?
• Are you due for a service?

The only checklist to use to keep your loved ones safe on your road trip

This checklist will ensure that you and your loved ones have a safe journey that is filled with fun, laughter and good memories. From the essentials such as a first aid kit to the nice-to-haves to keep you entertained on the road.

• Get any essential vaccinations well before your holiday.
• Don’t overload your car. Use a roof cargo carrier if possible.
• Ensure your first aid kit is well stocked and easily accessible for any emergencies.
• Pack some travel motion sickness bags for those who aren’t too fond of the road.
• Have your power banks fully charged so you don't all fight over the car’s USB port.
• Keep plenty of water available to stay hydrated.
• Have a tablet or portable DVD player to keep your kids entertained in the car.
• Pack activity books and colouring books for the kids (or adults), if you want to give them a technology break. 
• Bring along jumper cables or a jump starter for emergencies. You don’t want your car’s battery to suddenly die in the middle of nowhere, leaving you stranded.

These checklists will guide you in what needs to be done when planning a holiday road trip but if you need more information keep in mind that you can download our ultimate guide to planning a holiday road trip.

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