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Before travelling you should be prepared for everything - so use our preparation advice on packing tips, luggage allowance, security tips, baggage and general unofficial information on Stansted Airport. |
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Packed It, Checked It ... |
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Preparation is key to a stress-free holiday. Use our simple guide for unofficial information on packing tips, luggage allowance, security tips and baggage so you can eliminate any last minute worries!
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Securing Your Home Before You Leave ... |
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Here you will find the Airport Information site's top tips and helpful advice on things you should consider before leaving for the airport such as securing your home, packing your luggage, hand luggage etc.
Without securing your home properly you run the risk of coming back to your home being burgled - not nice, and a real threat when you are away, especially since almost half of all break-ins happen when a flat or house is left empty.
Check out these tips, chances are they are all something you need to do before you travel:
- Stop your milk and newspapers deliveries
- Wait until you return before ordering anything that might be sent Recorded Delivery - packages will be returned to the sender if they are not collected from the post office within one week
- Cancel any appointments that you might have had in your diary whilst you are away
- Ask a friend, trusted neighbour or nearby family member to remove post from your doorstep regularly, and to water your plants
- Use up or bin any perishable items in your fridge
- Switch off all plug sockets, including sockets powering electrical items such as your television, computer, etc. as a safety precauction
- In the summer months turn off your central heating and hot water - saving you money and energy. In the winter months it is wise to reduce your central heating temperature and times, rather than turning it off as this could affect your plumbing
- Make sure your pets are looked after - if going into a cattery or kennels pack their favourite toys. If being looked after by a friend make sure they have met a good many times before you travel
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Take note of our top ten security tips on protecting your home when you travel.
We all love going away on holiday, however, how much thought and preparation do we pay to the security of our home before we travel? We all spend time thinking about our travel but how many of us spend time thinking about securing our homes whilst we are away? Not many, and yet for the majority of us, our home and its contents are our most valuable assets. That doesn't even include the sentimental value we attach to them.
Make sure you secure it properly whist you are away. The following tips are easy, mostly free, and make a big effort to keeping your home and belongings safe.
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Top Ten Security Tips |
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1. Automatic Lighting |
Make your home look lived in whilst you're away - by attaching a light timer in certain rooms it will look like someone is home. |
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2. Post |
Arrange for post to be cleared away from your doorstep regularly - it's a dead giveaway that you aren't home!
Or you can arrange for Royal Mail's Keepsafe service, whereby your personal and/or business mail are stored for up to two months while you are away. |
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3. Deliveries |
Again, a giveaway you aren't home - milk and newspapers piled up. Cancel those deliveries! |
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4. Baggage Tags: |
Leave writing your return address on your luggage label until you are checking in for your return flight. Otherwise people seeing your luggage will know when you are back and have a free run on your home! |
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5. House Checking: |
See if friends, family or neighbours can pop in to check on your home from time to time. This also looks like your house is being lived in as it's a break in the routine of the house standing empty for any potential burglar monitoring your home.
Asking them to open and close the curtains can confuse any potential burglar.
And in case of an emergency, leave your contact details with someone so you are contactable. |
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6. Neighbourhood Watch: |
Does your area have a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme? Find out, and if it does join it. Visit their website at www.neighbourhoodwatch.net to find out more. |
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7. Valuable Items: |
It can be worth leaving important documents and valuable goods with trusted friends and family, or alternatively, contacting your bank to see if they can go in their safe.
Make sure desirable goods such as televisions, stereos and DVD players cannot be seen from outside the property.
Do check that your home and contents insurance hasn't expired and it is for suitable cover! |
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8. Alarm: |
Make sure your alarm actually works! Also, ask a trusted neighbour to be a key holder just in case it goes off whilst you're away as the Security Company may need to contact someone in an emergency.
And make sure your alarm is set when you leave your property. |
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9. Outdoor Storage: |
It's worth considering putting valuable bikes, power tools etc. that would normally be stored in your shed inside your home. |
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10. Locks: |
Before leaving make sure all windows and doors are securely locked. |
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It's worth noting that many Police Forces offer security advice and improvements on your home, so give them a call. So after you've double checked everything...
... enjoy your holiday! |
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Do check in advance of travel your luggage allowances and any security issues surrounding baggage - restricted, prohibited items etc.
Use our below guide on baggage allowances, restricted items that must not be packed in your hand luggage or main luggage, and travelling on an Aircraft with unusual luggage / items.
With baggage allowances varying from Airline to Airline check your ticket for weight restrictions. Should you be needing to take large amounts of luggage do check with the Airline you are travelling with to see what their policies and procedures are on this.
As a general rule the maximum weight of an individual bag is 32kg (70lbs) or less. If your bag weighs more than this you may be liable to pay for the additional weight. You will also be required to repack your one heavy bag into smaller bags so that the weight is distributed more evenly. Likewise if you are planning to travel with unusual shaped items of luggage. Hence why we strongly suggest you check in advance, so you are saved time, inconvenience and any embarrassment.
With tightened security measures you will be asked a series of questions relating to both your main baggage and hand luggage.
Information on restricted and prohibited items that must not be packed in your hand luggage or main luggage, visit the Security section of this website
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