It would be an absolute disaster to return home from your relaxing vacation to find something terrible has happened to your house, so read on for how to avoid any issues arising.
Pets
Most of us are unable to take our furry friends with us on holiday, which means you'll have to make other arrangements.
Kennels and catteries are a popular choice, but make sure you find a good one - ask a friend for a recommendation - as the bad locations are not happy places for your animals to be.
Some animals, like cats, will be quite happy being left on their own, but ensure you have friends and family checking in on them every day to feed them and provide a bit of human company.
House protection
If you don't have a burglar alarm already, you should seriously consider getting one before you go on holiday.
These will raise the alarm quickly in the event of an attempted break-in and can help to keep your prized possessions safe and secure.
Consider putting some of your home's lights on a timer so it looks like people are home, as this will deter any opportunistic thieves who think they have chanced upon an abandoned property.
If you're friendly with your neighbours, ask them to keep an eye out for you and pop in every now and again to water your plants and so on, but only if you trust them.
Appliances
On your departure day, one of the most important things to do before you leave your home is to check all your appliances are off.
Not only will it be a massive waste of electricity - bad for the environment as well as your energy bills - it can be a safety hazard to leave them on in an empty home.
Most of us have worried about leaving the gas on at one point, so check, double check and triple check that the cooker is off before you go out, for peace of mind as much as anything else.
Unplug anything that won't be used while you're away, such as your television or stereo.
House-sitters
If you're still worried about the risks of leaving your home abandoned while you soak up the sun abroad, consider asking a friend or family member to house sit.
Enlist the services of someone you trust to come round for a couple of hours a day to keep the place safe, or tell them they can stay over as long as they like, helping themselves to the contents of your fridge and drinks cabinet.
If you're feeling particularly brave, you could even rent out your house while you're away. House-swapping is an increasingly popular type of vacation for those who want home comforts while they are away.
As long as you have a plan in place for keeping your home safe while you're on holiday, you should be able to relax with no worries on your much-needed and well-earned break.
© Axonn 2015