The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is upon us! Many of us travel during this time of year. Besides deciding what to pack, take a few minutes and follow these tips to protect you, your loved ones, and your property.
- Contact your credit card companies to advise them of your travel plans, especially if you will be traveling to a different county. Ask them to put specific notes on your file listing travel dates and locations so they do not accidentally freeze your funds.
- Do NOT post on social media the dates you are leaving or post details or pictures of your trip while you are away. Save the pictures for when you return home.
- If you are leaving your minor children in someone’s care, make sure you have given them a Temporary Guardian of Minor allowing them to act in your absence.
- If you have someone watching your pets, leave contact information for your vet and an emergency veterinary hospital. Leave your pet sitter with a note giving them permission to seek medical treatment for your animals and that you will take financial responsibility for the bill.
- Tell a trusted neighbor you will be gone and ask them to watch—and to report to police—any suspicious activity.
- Send a current copy of your healthcare documents and financial power of attorney to your agents. Keep an emergency contact card in your wallet listing your agents and their current phone numbers.
- Make sure to stop your newspaper or ask a neighbor to pick them up. Nothing screams “we are not home” than a stack of newspapers in your driveway.
- Remember that a new Arizona drivers license that complies with federal law is required to use as identification to board a federally regulated commercial aircraft beginning as soon as January 2016. Otherwise you will need a passport to travel through airport security.
- Invest in a programmable timer to turn on interior house lights in the evening. You can pick one up for less than $20 at Amazon, Home Depot, or Lowe’s.
And now a tip for your turkey. One of my law professors told me about roasting a turkey in a brown paper bag. I was skeptical but it turned out to be the best turkey ever! No the bag will not burn, and yes the turkey still browns (although I have no idea how) and it was extremely moist. Just Google “turkey in a brown paper bag.”
Try something new with your turkey this year and take a few extra precautions before traveling. Above all, have a safe and happy holiday season.
