11 Must-Do Tasks in the Kitchen Before Leaving for Holiday

It’s important to ensure the security and state of your whole home whilst you're on holiday, but it’s the kitchen that calls for the most thorough pre-travel preparation. From electrical hazards and energy-saving precautions, to food preservation and hygiene, the kitchen poses the most amount of risk to your home when you are absent, and many homeowners are unsure about what should and shouldn’t be done before departure.

Lizzie Beesley, kitchen specialist from Magnet, has revealed the essential steps that you should take to prepare the kitchen for your absence. These tips are designed to help protect your home from risk, to save energy and reduce bills, and make for a seamless homecoming.

"Travel can be stressful, but a little bit of planning ahead can put your mind at ease when on holiday and help make your life easier when you return home," says Lizzie. "It might take some extra time on the front end, but doing these things will leave your kitchen in tip-top shape while you’re gone. Then, when you’re back, your kitchen is in working order without any unwanted surprises for you to deal with."

Read on for 11 essential steps to follow...

1. What you should always switch off

Ovens, dishwashers, microwaves, washing machines, kettles, coffee machines, toasters and other countertop gadgets in your home should be switched off before departure.

"Whilst switching off kitchen appliances and supplies in your home is really important to avoid the risk of fires and electrical hazards whilst you’re away, it’s also the perfect way and time to conserve energy and save money on utilities," says Lizzie. "Kitchen appliances are top culprits for using lots of electricity, even when left on standby. Unplugging them or turning off the fuse switch are the best ways to ensure they’re not left on standby - but make sure you don’t switch off your fridge or freezer in the process!"

The only exception is the boiler, which should only be turned off during winter months.

"There’s a continued debate around whether or not to switch off your boiler when going on holiday, but the decision depends on the time of year you are going away. In the summer, switch off your boiler as hot water and heating isn’t needed. In the winter however, it’s important to leave your boiler on and set the thermostat on a lower temperature or on a timer, to prevent your pipes from freezing."

2. What you should never switch off

Removing food from your fridge is vitally important (more on that below,) but it's not something you should switch off.

"Leave the freezer and fridge on unless you’re going away for a particularly long time. If you switch off a fridge or freezer, it will defrost and you’ll return to a very wet floor. The stench and clean-up of rotting food is not something you want to return to."