While you travel, it is crucial to protect your privacy and
thwart identity theft. Thieves often employ very sophisticated methods
to attain their ends. Here are some tips that will help discourage both
high-tech and low-tech crooks.
Burglaries and identity theft are two increasingly common problems that
today's traveler must take into consideration when planning a holiday.
Here are some tips that will help protect your privacy and identity
while you are away.
• Never post public announcements on social
media indicating that you plan to be away from home. Instead, share
information with close friends via personal messages.
• Do not
place vacation photos online until you arrive home. If you are
enthusiastic and can't resist the urge, make sure that your default
photo setting is for viewing by friends only. And here is a thought: Do
you trust every single one of your online friends?
• Password
protect all electronics you plan to take with you, including cellphone,
tablet, laptop computer, etc. Not only will you protect yourself, but
you will also shield any information you have saved for family and
friends.
• Use a good pass code for your voice mail or answering machine. Never choose something like 1234 or 7890.
• Safeguard your camera or camcorder. It could contain photos that might compromise your hotel room, home, or family.
•
Strictly monitor important documents like your passport, credit cards,
and bank cards. Use the room or hotel safe to lock away anything you do
not need to take with you on tours and outings. Use secure next-to-body
travel pouches to carry necessary documents when you leave your
accommodations.
• Try not to access the Internet unless you can
use password-protected networks. When in public areas, be sure that
prying eyes cannot monitor you while you sign in to online sites.
• If you need to use a public computer, and the browser has an InPrivate Browsing mode, activate it before surfing.
• On login screens, do not tick any boxes that ask to save your username and password.
• Avoid accessing online banking unless necessary, and be sure that the banking sites you use are secure (i.e., start with https - s meaning secure).
• Log out from all sites (rather than just close the browser window) and clear the browser cache before you leave.
•
Monitor your bank and credit card accounts. If you notice any
suspicious activity, alert the appropriate financial institutions.
•
When you leave the hotel, store your laptop computer in the room safe
or main hotel safe. At the very least, attach it securely to something
in the room with an appropriate locking device plugged into your
laptop's lock port.
• And you will remember to password protect your computer, right?
Pay attention to these tips, and the chances of burglary or identity theft while you travel will be greatly reduced.
(c) Copyright Kathy Steinemann:
This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the
byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.
About the Author:
Kathy invites you to explore more travel tips in her recent eBooks, Top Tips for Travel by Air and Top Tips for Packing Your Suitcase. No eReader? No problem! Most eBook sites provide free reader apps for your PC, Mac, tablet, and smartphone. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com)
Monday, October 14, 2013
Arranging a Family Reunion that Includes Out-of-Town Guests
The
larger your family, the more likely it is that you will have relatives
who live far away - maybe even overseas. Coordinating all the
arrangements so that everyone has a pleasant visit requires careful
planning and attention to detail.
Arranging a Family Reunion that Includes Out-of-Town Guests
The larger your family, the more likely it is that you will have relatives who live far away - maybe even overseas. Coordinating all the arrangements so that everyone has a pleasant visit requires careful planning and attention to detail.
Are you planning a family reunion? It can be a big undertaking. However, done properly, it will be an occasion that everyone remembers for years to come. Here are a few tips that will guide you in the right direction.
Choose a Date
If any of the guests have children, you should schedule your reunion for a suitable time during school breaks or holidays. Unfortunately, this is when travel is more expensive.
Ask for feedback from family members so that you do not plan the reunion when there are weddings or other events that might conflict with your selected dates.
Arrange Suitable Accommodations
Contact local hotels several months in advance to request special rates.
If several relatives live in the local area, see if they can provide lodging for one or more families.
Family members who live within driving distance might prefer an RV or camping facility. Tour the local area to see what is available, including rates and specific regulations:
- Do they allow pets?
- Are there curfews?
- Are campfires permitted?
- If so, do they provide firewood?
- Do they have laundry facilities?
- Is fresh water available?
- Are there public toilets?
- Is there a sanitary dump station for RVs?
Set Up Invitations
Once you have determined the date, venue, accommodations, and other important details, design your invitations. Ensure that they include the following information:
Location: All guests should know how far it is from the airport to the venue, especially if they come from a small country where they can drive border-to-border in less than a day. Use a site like Google Maps to create a local map, and share the link with everyone.
Fees: Will there be a charge for meals or extras? If so, notify everyone of the payment method. (PayPal works great for many people.)
Special Clothing or Equipment: If you plan events that require special clothing or equipment, let everyone know. For example, horseback riding, swimming, hiking, tram rides, balloon rides, zip-lining, and hayrides are a few activities that would require special attention to wardrobe.
Meals: Potluck meals are great for reunions, but difficult for many out-of-town guests to prepare. Locate local suppliers who offer ready-made meals like fried chicken dinners, submarine sandwiches, or pizza. Get menus with prices that you can include with your invitations.
Mail the Invitations to Relatives Several Months in Advance
Send invitations via mail, email, and social media. Be sure to remind everyone more than once, and try to get RSVPs from all attendees.
Miscellaneous Tasks
• Set up a reunion page on social media and keep it updated with new information as it becomes available.
• Assign photography duties to more than one person, and arrange to have a computer nearby where all photos can be uploaded.
• A portable scanner is very handy for old photos and documents that family members might bring along.
• Share cellphone contact numbers for you and your guests, as appropriate.
• Plan to be totally involved during the reunion, taking at least one day off work before and after the reunion.
(c) Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.
About the Author:
Kathy invites you to explore more travel tips in her recent eBooks, Top Tips for Travel by Air and Top Tips for Packing Your Suitcase. No eReader? No problem! Most eBook sites provide free reader apps for your PC, Mac, tablet, and smartphone. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com)
Arranging a Family Reunion that Includes Out-of-Town Guests
The larger your family, the more likely it is that you will have relatives who live far away - maybe even overseas. Coordinating all the arrangements so that everyone has a pleasant visit requires careful planning and attention to detail.
Are you planning a family reunion? It can be a big undertaking. However, done properly, it will be an occasion that everyone remembers for years to come. Here are a few tips that will guide you in the right direction.
Choose a Date
If any of the guests have children, you should schedule your reunion for a suitable time during school breaks or holidays. Unfortunately, this is when travel is more expensive.
Ask for feedback from family members so that you do not plan the reunion when there are weddings or other events that might conflict with your selected dates.
Arrange Suitable Accommodations
Contact local hotels several months in advance to request special rates.
If several relatives live in the local area, see if they can provide lodging for one or more families.
Family members who live within driving distance might prefer an RV or camping facility. Tour the local area to see what is available, including rates and specific regulations:
- Do they allow pets?
- Are there curfews?
- Are campfires permitted?
- If so, do they provide firewood?
- Do they have laundry facilities?
- Is fresh water available?
- Are there public toilets?
- Is there a sanitary dump station for RVs?
Set Up Invitations
Once you have determined the date, venue, accommodations, and other important details, design your invitations. Ensure that they include the following information:
Location: All guests should know how far it is from the airport to the venue, especially if they come from a small country where they can drive border-to-border in less than a day. Use a site like Google Maps to create a local map, and share the link with everyone.
Fees: Will there be a charge for meals or extras? If so, notify everyone of the payment method. (PayPal works great for many people.)
Special Clothing or Equipment: If you plan events that require special clothing or equipment, let everyone know. For example, horseback riding, swimming, hiking, tram rides, balloon rides, zip-lining, and hayrides are a few activities that would require special attention to wardrobe.
Meals: Potluck meals are great for reunions, but difficult for many out-of-town guests to prepare. Locate local suppliers who offer ready-made meals like fried chicken dinners, submarine sandwiches, or pizza. Get menus with prices that you can include with your invitations.
Mail the Invitations to Relatives Several Months in Advance
Send invitations via mail, email, and social media. Be sure to remind everyone more than once, and try to get RSVPs from all attendees.
Miscellaneous Tasks
• Set up a reunion page on social media and keep it updated with new information as it becomes available.
• Assign photography duties to more than one person, and arrange to have a computer nearby where all photos can be uploaded.
• A portable scanner is very handy for old photos and documents that family members might bring along.
• Share cellphone contact numbers for you and your guests, as appropriate.
• Plan to be totally involved during the reunion, taking at least one day off work before and after the reunion.
(c) Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.
About the Author:
Kathy invites you to explore more travel tips in her recent eBooks, Top Tips for Travel by Air and Top Tips for Packing Your Suitcase. No eReader? No problem! Most eBook sites provide free reader apps for your PC, Mac, tablet, and smartphone. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com)
Vacations Are Important for Your Physical and Mental Health
Do you have to push yourself to take a vacation every year?
Getting away from the grind might be more important than you realize! A
properly-planned holiday with ample opportunities to relax can improve
your health in several ways. Here are a few.
A well-planned, restful vacation can be like a new lease on life. Here are seven reasons why.
Vacations Can Help You Maintain Your Ideal Weight
Chronic stress triggers the buildup of cortisol. According to many authorities, this causes weight gain. You are also more likely to eat "comfort foods" during stressful periods, which can pack on several pounds over a year.
Vacations May Help You Sleep Better
Sleep deprivation is one of the top health-related issues in our modern world.
• It can be caused by family pets who share the bed.
• Late-night business calls are also culprits.
• Evening computer work can stimulate the brain and make it more difficult to relax once the lights have been turned off.
• Some people just don't dedicate enough time for sleeping.
On vacation, there are no pets or business calls to contend with. Worries about tomorrow's hectic schedule are gone. Sleep quality improves, especially if ample time is allotted for a good night's rest.
Vacations Can Make Your Brain Function More Efficiently
The everyday stresses of a job or daily routine can accumulate over time. Stress affects your brain's ability to function at peak efficiency. It may stifle analytical skills, decision-making capabilities, and creativity. Now there's a great reason to take a holiday - it might make you smarter!
Vacations Can Help Prevent Coronary Disease
Stress relief in the form of a vacation can prevent heart attacks! Those who take advantage of a break from their daily routine are much less likely to suffer coronary events. A time-out from your hectic schedule can help to lower your blood pressure and boost your immune system.
Vacations Can Improve Mental Health
People who take regular vacations are less likely to suffer from depression, fatigue, and anxiety. They are also generally happier with their marriages and relationships.
Vacations Can Improve Family Relationships
The family that vacations together bonds together. During a well-planned vacation, family relationships can improve. Everyone creates memorable experiences together. These memories can form the basis of future happy discussions as everyone reminisces about the great time they had. Parents and grandparents find out more about younger family members. Children and teens feel a sense of belonging when they get a chance to help plan destinations and activities.
Vacations May Enhance Job Performance
Here is a good reason to ask your boss for a vacation! A break from your job can prevent burnout. On your return, you will be a happier, more productive employee with a new perspective on life and work responsibilities.
What Are You Waiting For?
Start planning your next vacation now. It doesn't have to be expensive or fancy.
(c) Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.
About the Author:
Kathy invites you to explore hundreds of travel tips in her recent eBooks, Top Tips for Travel by Air and Top Tips for Packing Your Suitcase. No eReader? No problem! Most eBook sites provide free reader apps for your PC, Mac, tablet, and smartphone. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com)
A well-planned, restful vacation can be like a new lease on life. Here are seven reasons why.
Vacations Can Help You Maintain Your Ideal Weight
Chronic stress triggers the buildup of cortisol. According to many authorities, this causes weight gain. You are also more likely to eat "comfort foods" during stressful periods, which can pack on several pounds over a year.
Vacations May Help You Sleep Better
Sleep deprivation is one of the top health-related issues in our modern world.
• It can be caused by family pets who share the bed.
• Late-night business calls are also culprits.
• Evening computer work can stimulate the brain and make it more difficult to relax once the lights have been turned off.
• Some people just don't dedicate enough time for sleeping.
On vacation, there are no pets or business calls to contend with. Worries about tomorrow's hectic schedule are gone. Sleep quality improves, especially if ample time is allotted for a good night's rest.
Vacations Can Make Your Brain Function More Efficiently
The everyday stresses of a job or daily routine can accumulate over time. Stress affects your brain's ability to function at peak efficiency. It may stifle analytical skills, decision-making capabilities, and creativity. Now there's a great reason to take a holiday - it might make you smarter!
Vacations Can Help Prevent Coronary Disease
Stress relief in the form of a vacation can prevent heart attacks! Those who take advantage of a break from their daily routine are much less likely to suffer coronary events. A time-out from your hectic schedule can help to lower your blood pressure and boost your immune system.
Vacations Can Improve Mental Health
People who take regular vacations are less likely to suffer from depression, fatigue, and anxiety. They are also generally happier with their marriages and relationships.
Vacations Can Improve Family Relationships
The family that vacations together bonds together. During a well-planned vacation, family relationships can improve. Everyone creates memorable experiences together. These memories can form the basis of future happy discussions as everyone reminisces about the great time they had. Parents and grandparents find out more about younger family members. Children and teens feel a sense of belonging when they get a chance to help plan destinations and activities.
Vacations May Enhance Job Performance
Here is a good reason to ask your boss for a vacation! A break from your job can prevent burnout. On your return, you will be a happier, more productive employee with a new perspective on life and work responsibilities.
What Are You Waiting For?
Start planning your next vacation now. It doesn't have to be expensive or fancy.
(c) Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.
About the Author:
Kathy invites you to explore hundreds of travel tips in her recent eBooks, Top Tips for Travel by Air and Top Tips for Packing Your Suitcase. No eReader? No problem! Most eBook sites provide free reader apps for your PC, Mac, tablet, and smartphone. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com)
How to Keep Your Valuables Safe Whenever You Travel
Every time you devise a way to keep your things safe - then post
the information online - crooks read your posts and learn how to
circumvent what you have done. So, you might not want to follow some of
these tips. However, use them to spark ideas.
Are you looking for ways to keep your valuables safe while you travel? Here is a selection of ideas that have been used by travelers in the past. Although you might not want to follow some of the tips (because savvy crooks will already know about them) use this article as a springboard to develop your own security measures.
Once you have discovered something that works for you, keep it a secret!
Tips that everyone should read carefully are marked as Important in bold type.
Important: Although the hotel safe is the best place to put valuables, in some areas of the world the "safe" is just a desk drawer that can be accessed by any of the hotel staff. Use your best judgment and avoid anything that does not feel right to you.
It is impractical to take valuables with you. You should not leave them in your hotel room, either.
So, what are you supposed to do if you are in a hotel without secure safes?
Important: Do not leave the room until after it has been cleaned. As you exit, put the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the outside handle. Cleaning staff are more likely to avoid the room, thinking that it is occupied.
Places Where You Might be Able to Hide Valuables
You can place small valuables under the mattress once the room has been cleaned. Put them right under the center of the mattress (not under an edge where it is easy to see something by lifting a corner). Set some clothing or luggage on top of the bed.
Using a utility knife, you can turn an old pocket book into a hiding place. Carefully carve a square hollow into the center of the pages, leaving several of the first and last pages intact. Place the book in plain sight. If it is in a small pile of paperbacks, it is not as likely to be disturbed.
Other Tips
Important: Keep your suitcases locked when you leave the room. Most thieves will be after small objects that they can hide on their person. Walking out of a room with a suitcase would arouse suspicion, especially in hotels with security cameras.
If your room has a small fridge, you can hide valuables in food containers. Use your imagination - and don't forget where you stashed things when it is time to leave.
Tape an envelope underneath a flat surface, to the back of the television, or to the wall behind heavy curtains. An envelope can also be stashed between clean towels stacked up in the bathroom, or under an unused wastebasket (since there is no need for cleaning staff to touch it).
Place valuables in a sock and pin inside a back fold of heavy drapes (between drapes and wall - not in front of the window).
Consider the tips mentioned, then try to devise something new and unique that will foil would-be thieves.
(c) Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.
About the Author:
You will find hundreds of travel tips in Kathy's recent eBooks: Top Tips for Travel by Air and Top Tips for Packing Your Suitcase. No eReader? No problem! Most eBook sites provide free reader apps for your PC, Mac, tablet, and smartphone. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com)
Are you looking for ways to keep your valuables safe while you travel? Here is a selection of ideas that have been used by travelers in the past. Although you might not want to follow some of the tips (because savvy crooks will already know about them) use this article as a springboard to develop your own security measures.
Once you have discovered something that works for you, keep it a secret!
Tips that everyone should read carefully are marked as Important in bold type.
Important: Although the hotel safe is the best place to put valuables, in some areas of the world the "safe" is just a desk drawer that can be accessed by any of the hotel staff. Use your best judgment and avoid anything that does not feel right to you.
It is impractical to take valuables with you. You should not leave them in your hotel room, either.
So, what are you supposed to do if you are in a hotel without secure safes?
Important: Do not leave the room until after it has been cleaned. As you exit, put the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the outside handle. Cleaning staff are more likely to avoid the room, thinking that it is occupied.
Places Where You Might be Able to Hide Valuables
You can place small valuables under the mattress once the room has been cleaned. Put them right under the center of the mattress (not under an edge where it is easy to see something by lifting a corner). Set some clothing or luggage on top of the bed.
Using a utility knife, you can turn an old pocket book into a hiding place. Carefully carve a square hollow into the center of the pages, leaving several of the first and last pages intact. Place the book in plain sight. If it is in a small pile of paperbacks, it is not as likely to be disturbed.
Other Tips
Important: Keep your suitcases locked when you leave the room. Most thieves will be after small objects that they can hide on their person. Walking out of a room with a suitcase would arouse suspicion, especially in hotels with security cameras.
If your room has a small fridge, you can hide valuables in food containers. Use your imagination - and don't forget where you stashed things when it is time to leave.
Tape an envelope underneath a flat surface, to the back of the television, or to the wall behind heavy curtains. An envelope can also be stashed between clean towels stacked up in the bathroom, or under an unused wastebasket (since there is no need for cleaning staff to touch it).
Place valuables in a sock and pin inside a back fold of heavy drapes (between drapes and wall - not in front of the window).
Consider the tips mentioned, then try to devise something new and unique that will foil would-be thieves.
(c) Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.
About the Author:
You will find hundreds of travel tips in Kathy's recent eBooks: Top Tips for Travel by Air and Top Tips for Packing Your Suitcase. No eReader? No problem! Most eBook sites provide free reader apps for your PC, Mac, tablet, and smartphone. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com)
How to Find a Capable Birdsitter Before Your Next Vacation
It is usually easy to locate a dog or a cat sitter when you go on
holidays. However, exotic pets like birds require special attention.
Finding somebody who can care for your avian friend may prove to be a
difficult task. These tips should help.
It is usually easy to locate a dog or a cat sitter when you go on holidays. However, exotic pets like birds require special attention. Finding somebody who can care for your avian friend may prove to be a difficult task. These tips should help.
Locate an Appropriate Candidate
Explore the following suggestions for initial contact.
• Talk to the nearest avian veterinarian or your local vet. They may know of someone, or there might even be someone in their office who would be willing to sit for you.
• Meet with other bird owners. This step is easier if you have a local bird club, but the local pet store or avian vet might be able to help.
• Check with bird rescue societies. They usually have volunteers who foster birds, and there might be a vacancy with one of their members.
• Ask the pet store. Some stores have avian boarding facilities.
• Search on Facebook and other social media sites.
• Go to pet forums on the Internet, and make appropriate inquiries.
• Check ads in classified sections of bird magazines.
• Consider hiring a dedicated house sitter.
• Advertise on bulletin boards in the pet store and vet's office.
Arrange for a sitter months in advance. Leaving it until the last minute could mean that you will not be able to find anyone.
You can also search the Internet for a bird sitter in your local area by going to your favorite search engine, and searching for "pet sitting birds YOUR LOCATION", without the quotes.
The local SPCA, even if they have the facilities, would not be the best choice for temporary boarding. Birds should not be exposed to cats. Cats carry pasteurella, which, even with minimal contact, can be fatal to birds in as little as 24 hours.
Find housesitting sites by searching for "house sitters directory international", without the quotes.
Screen the Sitter
• Ideally, your sitter should have previous experience caring for or owning birds.
• A sitter should be easy to contact; i.e., reachable by cellphone at all times.
• Before you hand over the keys to your house, you need to know that you have found a reliable bird minder. Are they bonded? And insured? Can they provide references? Do they have a printed list of fees and services?
• If the sitter owns birds, or is taking care of someone else's birds, they must be meticulous about sanitary procedures in order to prevent transferring disease.
• What happens if your sitter becomes ill? Is there a backup plan? Establish the contingencies in advance.
• There should be a clear understanding of how many times daily the sitter will visit your home.
• Will they spend time interacting with your bird? Clarify your expectations.
• A minder or housesitter should not bring another pet into your home while you are away.
• If you board your bird at a pet store, it might be exposed to diseases carried by other avian residents.
Prepare Before You Leave
• Consider purchasing a birdsitter DVD to keep your pet company. Play it several times in the weeks before you leave, so that the DVD isn't associated with your absence.
• Have bird and sitter meet ahead of time to see if they get along. Your bird might prefer someone of the same gender as its primary caregiver, or there could be other reasons why it rejects the company of your potential minder.
• Make sure that you have a carrier or travel cage for transport to the vet in case of emergency.
• Leave instructions about feeding and medical emergencies. Explicitly detail safety precautions such as:
- No Teflon on the stove
- No junk food
- No smoking
- No air fresheners
- No harsh cleaning chemicals
• Further information should include:
- Signs of illness
- Name(s) of bird(s)
- Hatch date(s)
- Sex(es)
- Contact information for your veterinarian
- Contact information for a friend who is familiar with your pet
- Detailed itinerary and/or contact information for you and/or travel companions
There is no such thing as too much detail.
• Equip the cage with lots of toys to help eliminate boredom.
• Familiarize your birds with the concept of "days" months before you leave. For example, mine understand that one bedtime equals one day. Before I leave, I tell them that I will be gone for a specific number of bedtimes.
• Investigate timers for TV and lights, and install them weeks or months before you go, in order to ensure that they work efficiently.
• Get the sitter to repeat all last-minute verbal instructions back to you so that you are sure they understand, and then watch while they write them on a piece of paper or type them into their tablet or smartphone.
(c) Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.
About the Author:
Are you looking for more travel information? Kathy has written two books of travel tips that you can purchase for your eReader, tablet, or smartphone, and take with you on your next trip: Top Tips for Packing Your Suitcase - how, why, and what to pack for your next travel adventure, and Top Tips for Travel by Air - over 300 targeted travel tips. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com)
It is usually easy to locate a dog or a cat sitter when you go on holidays. However, exotic pets like birds require special attention. Finding somebody who can care for your avian friend may prove to be a difficult task. These tips should help.
Locate an Appropriate Candidate
Explore the following suggestions for initial contact.
• Talk to the nearest avian veterinarian or your local vet. They may know of someone, or there might even be someone in their office who would be willing to sit for you.
• Meet with other bird owners. This step is easier if you have a local bird club, but the local pet store or avian vet might be able to help.
• Check with bird rescue societies. They usually have volunteers who foster birds, and there might be a vacancy with one of their members.
• Ask the pet store. Some stores have avian boarding facilities.
• Search on Facebook and other social media sites.
• Go to pet forums on the Internet, and make appropriate inquiries.
• Check ads in classified sections of bird magazines.
• Consider hiring a dedicated house sitter.
• Advertise on bulletin boards in the pet store and vet's office.
Arrange for a sitter months in advance. Leaving it until the last minute could mean that you will not be able to find anyone.
You can also search the Internet for a bird sitter in your local area by going to your favorite search engine, and searching for "pet sitting birds YOUR LOCATION", without the quotes.
The local SPCA, even if they have the facilities, would not be the best choice for temporary boarding. Birds should not be exposed to cats. Cats carry pasteurella, which, even with minimal contact, can be fatal to birds in as little as 24 hours.
Find housesitting sites by searching for "house sitters directory international", without the quotes.
Screen the Sitter
• Ideally, your sitter should have previous experience caring for or owning birds.
• A sitter should be easy to contact; i.e., reachable by cellphone at all times.
• Before you hand over the keys to your house, you need to know that you have found a reliable bird minder. Are they bonded? And insured? Can they provide references? Do they have a printed list of fees and services?
• If the sitter owns birds, or is taking care of someone else's birds, they must be meticulous about sanitary procedures in order to prevent transferring disease.
• What happens if your sitter becomes ill? Is there a backup plan? Establish the contingencies in advance.
• There should be a clear understanding of how many times daily the sitter will visit your home.
• Will they spend time interacting with your bird? Clarify your expectations.
• A minder or housesitter should not bring another pet into your home while you are away.
• If you board your bird at a pet store, it might be exposed to diseases carried by other avian residents.
Prepare Before You Leave
• Consider purchasing a birdsitter DVD to keep your pet company. Play it several times in the weeks before you leave, so that the DVD isn't associated with your absence.
• Have bird and sitter meet ahead of time to see if they get along. Your bird might prefer someone of the same gender as its primary caregiver, or there could be other reasons why it rejects the company of your potential minder.
• Make sure that you have a carrier or travel cage for transport to the vet in case of emergency.
• Leave instructions about feeding and medical emergencies. Explicitly detail safety precautions such as:
- No Teflon on the stove
- No junk food
- No smoking
- No air fresheners
- No harsh cleaning chemicals
• Further information should include:
- Signs of illness
- Name(s) of bird(s)
- Hatch date(s)
- Sex(es)
- Contact information for your veterinarian
- Contact information for a friend who is familiar with your pet
- Detailed itinerary and/or contact information for you and/or travel companions
There is no such thing as too much detail.
• Equip the cage with lots of toys to help eliminate boredom.
• Familiarize your birds with the concept of "days" months before you leave. For example, mine understand that one bedtime equals one day. Before I leave, I tell them that I will be gone for a specific number of bedtimes.
• Investigate timers for TV and lights, and install them weeks or months before you go, in order to ensure that they work efficiently.
• Get the sitter to repeat all last-minute verbal instructions back to you so that you are sure they understand, and then watch while they write them on a piece of paper or type them into their tablet or smartphone.
(c) Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.
About the Author:
Are you looking for more travel information? Kathy has written two books of travel tips that you can purchase for your eReader, tablet, or smartphone, and take with you on your next trip: Top Tips for Packing Your Suitcase - how, why, and what to pack for your next travel adventure, and Top Tips for Travel by Air - over 300 targeted travel tips. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com)
Keep Your Home Safe from Crooks when You Travel: Part Two
A residence that is vacant during holidays becomes an easy target
for break-ins and robberies. This article presents a few tips that will
make your home appear less attractive to crooks, and harder to access
if they do decide to rob it.
Even if you don't live in a high-crime area, your house could be targeted for burglary while you are on vacation. Here is some information that should help you protect your home.
• Do not leave notes for housesitters, service people, friends, or relatives on your door before you leave. Crooks can read as well as anyone, and the notes are a sign that you are away from home.
• Take photos of people who might need to access your property, such as the student who takes care of your yard, and your petsitter. Email or print the photos, and give copies to the person watching your home.
• Alternatively, you could provide authorized people a letter signed by you that they would be required to present to your housesitter when asked.
• If you have an appropriate alarm system, configure it so that you receive email alerts via smartphone if there is any indication of trouble.
• Has a roofer, plumber, or other tradesperson used your bathroom facilities recently? Confirm that the window is closed and secured. Sometimes, burglars will unlock or open a window to permit access when they return.
• Crooks usually watch a home for a while, ranging from hours to weeks, before they break in. If they can predict when your house will be vacant, that's when they will strike. Do everything you can to make outsiders believe that somebody is home.
• Burglars love routines. If they see someone checking your home at the same time every day, they will plan to break in before or after, when they consider it most safe. Try to arrange for your house minder to randomize a check-in schedule.
• Remember that an intruder wants to get in as quickly as possible. Anything you can do to delay entry will help to dissuade the effort.
• Do not reveal your holiday plans to local tradespeople, cashiers, or casual friends. How well do you really know them? And who might be eavesdropping on your conversation?
• Use a business address or the address of a friend on all luggage labels and tags when you travel. Why advertise that you are away from home, and then let people know where you live?
• Analyze your house to see if second floor access is made easier by fences, stairways, balconies, etc. Windows in these areas are especially susceptible to break-ins. Do what you can to remedy the situation.
• Sometimes, an intruder will gain entry just to check your calendar for notations of holidays and appointments. The entry will remain undetected, and the crook will plan a break-in for when you are away. Therefore, it is important to be vigilant at all times, not just before you leave on vacation.
• If your vacation is during the summer, do not turn off your air conditioner completely. On a sweltering day, an inactive unit signals, "Nobody is home here!"
A little knowledge and advance preparation could save your next vacation. Why wait? Start burglarproofing your home now.
(c) Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.
About the Author:
Kathy has written two helpful eBooks full of travel tips:
Top Tips for Travel by Air
This eBook contains over 300 tips in 11 categories, covering a variety of topics from packing, to airport security procedures, to what you should do on arrival at your destination. Business and leisure travelers alike will benefit from the advice provided.
Top Tips for Packing Your Suitcase
This is a compilation of tips that should make the job easier. Create your own packing strategy by reading about what other people do. You will find advice for choosing the right luggage, how and what to pack, packing for the kids, preparing for a camping trip, how to choose the right sunscreen - and more. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com)
Even if you don't live in a high-crime area, your house could be targeted for burglary while you are on vacation. Here is some information that should help you protect your home.
• Do not leave notes for housesitters, service people, friends, or relatives on your door before you leave. Crooks can read as well as anyone, and the notes are a sign that you are away from home.
• Take photos of people who might need to access your property, such as the student who takes care of your yard, and your petsitter. Email or print the photos, and give copies to the person watching your home.
• Alternatively, you could provide authorized people a letter signed by you that they would be required to present to your housesitter when asked.
• If you have an appropriate alarm system, configure it so that you receive email alerts via smartphone if there is any indication of trouble.
• Has a roofer, plumber, or other tradesperson used your bathroom facilities recently? Confirm that the window is closed and secured. Sometimes, burglars will unlock or open a window to permit access when they return.
• Crooks usually watch a home for a while, ranging from hours to weeks, before they break in. If they can predict when your house will be vacant, that's when they will strike. Do everything you can to make outsiders believe that somebody is home.
• Burglars love routines. If they see someone checking your home at the same time every day, they will plan to break in before or after, when they consider it most safe. Try to arrange for your house minder to randomize a check-in schedule.
• Remember that an intruder wants to get in as quickly as possible. Anything you can do to delay entry will help to dissuade the effort.
• Do not reveal your holiday plans to local tradespeople, cashiers, or casual friends. How well do you really know them? And who might be eavesdropping on your conversation?
• Use a business address or the address of a friend on all luggage labels and tags when you travel. Why advertise that you are away from home, and then let people know where you live?
• Analyze your house to see if second floor access is made easier by fences, stairways, balconies, etc. Windows in these areas are especially susceptible to break-ins. Do what you can to remedy the situation.
• Sometimes, an intruder will gain entry just to check your calendar for notations of holidays and appointments. The entry will remain undetected, and the crook will plan a break-in for when you are away. Therefore, it is important to be vigilant at all times, not just before you leave on vacation.
• If your vacation is during the summer, do not turn off your air conditioner completely. On a sweltering day, an inactive unit signals, "Nobody is home here!"
A little knowledge and advance preparation could save your next vacation. Why wait? Start burglarproofing your home now.
(c) Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.
About the Author:
Kathy has written two helpful eBooks full of travel tips:
Top Tips for Travel by Air
This eBook contains over 300 tips in 11 categories, covering a variety of topics from packing, to airport security procedures, to what you should do on arrival at your destination. Business and leisure travelers alike will benefit from the advice provided.
Top Tips for Packing Your Suitcase
This is a compilation of tips that should make the job easier. Create your own packing strategy by reading about what other people do. You will find advice for choosing the right luggage, how and what to pack, packing for the kids, preparing for a camping trip, how to choose the right sunscreen - and more. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com)
Plan for Winter Safety Months Before Your Vacation
When you're mowing the lawn during a hot summer day, probably the
last thing on your mind is a winter holiday. However, advance planning
can save you a serious case of winter woes. Consider the tips in this
article long before you leave.
Are you planning a getaway this winter? Don't wait until the last minute to prepare your home.
Advance Preparations
• Clean all eaves troughs and downspouts to prevent freezing water buildups that can damage roofs and cause water damage.
• Prune off any damaged tree branches that might blow free in a windstorm.
• Ensure that your heating system and chimney are in optimum working condition.
• If you have a temperature-monitoring system that can notify your smartphone when there's a problem, learn how to use it.
• Did you check and replace smoke alarm/CO detector batteries in the fall? If not, do it now.
• Close fireplace flues and windows. Check for drafts, and use caulking or weather-stripping to seal any cracks that might be letting cold air into your living space.
• Insulate pipes that are susceptible to freezing.
Before You Leave
• Disconnect garden hoses, and put them away in their normal storage place.
• Set the thermostat to a moderate setting that will keep pipes from freezing and protect houseplants.
• Open faucets near outside walls so that they drip very slowly. This will help prevent freezing and bursting.
• If there's no need for water in the house while you're away, turn off the main water supply, and drain the lines to each faucet or appliance. Leave the faucets open.
• After you turn off the main water supply, drain all toilets by holding down the flush levers while you wait for all water to empty from the tanks.
• Open cupboard doors under sinks, as well as dishwasher and washing machine doors. This allows room air to keep water hoses and pipes warm.
• If your home is on well water, turn off the pump's electric switch, and drain the system - including the pressure tank.
• Turn off and unplug interior and exterior Christmas decorations.
• Don't rely on portable heaters while you're gone.
• Close all curtains and blinds to retain heat. Supplement this step with a timer system that turns indoor lights off and on, so that your residence appears occupied.
• For extended absences, unplug, empty, and clean the refrigerator. Leave the door open, and put a box of baking soda inside to absorb odors. It might be necessary to use a rolled up towel to keep the door from closing.
After You Return
• Before you enter your residence, inspect the exterior. If anything looks suspicious - like a broken window, jimmied door, etc. - contact the police and wait for them to arrive. An intruder could still be inside.
• If you discover evidence of a break-in after you enter the house, don't touch anything. You must preserve the scene. Call the police immediately.
(c) Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.
About the Author:
If you're looking for more Home Safety Tips - including five chapters just for vacationers - check Kathy's website. Other books filled with travel tips: Top Tips for Packing Your Suitcase and Top Tips for Travel by Air. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com)
Are you planning a getaway this winter? Don't wait until the last minute to prepare your home.
Advance Preparations
• Clean all eaves troughs and downspouts to prevent freezing water buildups that can damage roofs and cause water damage.
• Prune off any damaged tree branches that might blow free in a windstorm.
• Ensure that your heating system and chimney are in optimum working condition.
• If you have a temperature-monitoring system that can notify your smartphone when there's a problem, learn how to use it.
• Did you check and replace smoke alarm/CO detector batteries in the fall? If not, do it now.
• Close fireplace flues and windows. Check for drafts, and use caulking or weather-stripping to seal any cracks that might be letting cold air into your living space.
• Insulate pipes that are susceptible to freezing.
Before You Leave
• Disconnect garden hoses, and put them away in their normal storage place.
• Set the thermostat to a moderate setting that will keep pipes from freezing and protect houseplants.
• Open faucets near outside walls so that they drip very slowly. This will help prevent freezing and bursting.
• If there's no need for water in the house while you're away, turn off the main water supply, and drain the lines to each faucet or appliance. Leave the faucets open.
• After you turn off the main water supply, drain all toilets by holding down the flush levers while you wait for all water to empty from the tanks.
• Open cupboard doors under sinks, as well as dishwasher and washing machine doors. This allows room air to keep water hoses and pipes warm.
• If your home is on well water, turn off the pump's electric switch, and drain the system - including the pressure tank.
• Turn off and unplug interior and exterior Christmas decorations.
• Don't rely on portable heaters while you're gone.
• Close all curtains and blinds to retain heat. Supplement this step with a timer system that turns indoor lights off and on, so that your residence appears occupied.
• For extended absences, unplug, empty, and clean the refrigerator. Leave the door open, and put a box of baking soda inside to absorb odors. It might be necessary to use a rolled up towel to keep the door from closing.
After You Return
• Before you enter your residence, inspect the exterior. If anything looks suspicious - like a broken window, jimmied door, etc. - contact the police and wait for them to arrive. An intruder could still be inside.
• If you discover evidence of a break-in after you enter the house, don't touch anything. You must preserve the scene. Call the police immediately.
(c) Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.
About the Author:
If you're looking for more Home Safety Tips - including five chapters just for vacationers - check Kathy's website. Other books filled with travel tips: Top Tips for Packing Your Suitcase and Top Tips for Travel by Air. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com)
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