You’ve probably seen countless packing checklists online, but a pre-travel checklist might not be as common. Still, you don’t want to be that homeowner who returns from a relaxing vacation only to find mould creeping up the walls or a fridge emitting a smell you can’t quite place.
Before you jet off on that much-awaited year-end break, taking a few minutes to shut down your home properly can save you from the horror of mouldy walls, leaks, or electrical mishaps when you return. Whether you’re gone for a weekend or a month-long holiday, these simple steps in the pre-travel home checklist can help keep your home safe and stress-free.
Prevent mould on appliances, walls & furniture
Image credit: Ori Bear on Facebook
Real homeowner problem:
“Closed up my Marine Parade flat for a month-long trip and even switched off the fridge to save on electricity. When we came home, the walls, sofa, tables and even the inside of the fridge were covered in grey-black mould. We ended up throwing almost everything out, including the fridge, before calling in professional mould remediators.”
Mould can develop surprisingly fast in Singapore’s humid climate, creeping onto walls, furniture or even inside your air conditioner. Especially during the rainy season, stale and damp air settles on walls, surfaces, and fabrics, creating an ideal environment for mould spores to grow.
Even fridges aren’t immune, as their interiors become humid and stagnant when powered off, leading to mould growth on rubber seals and drawers. Combined with high humidity throughout the home, mould can appear almost anywhere.
What you can do:
Leave some windows slightly ajar, preferably with insect screens
Even a small gap can make a noticeable difference in improving airflow. For safety and practicality, leave windows in non-corridor-facing rooms slightly open, such as the bathroom or service yard, anduse insect screens to maintain ventilation without letting pests in.
Run your humidifier or AC on dry mode
If your dehumidifier is connected to a smart system, schedule it to run every few days. Alternatively, running your AC on dry mode helps prevent mould from forming on the coils.
Ventilate items susceptible to mould
Leather and fabric goods should be stored off the floor, and moisture absorbers in wardrobes are handy in keeping enclosed spaces dry.
Prevent gas leaks or flooding
Image adapted from: Cheryl Clare Tan on Facebook, Waterproofing.com.sg
Common homeowner problem:
“Returned from vacation once and the ground floor was flooded. 30cm of water like a mini swimming pool.” – u/bunnydanger on Reddit
Leaky ceilings are more common than you might assume: in 2024, HDB handled 859 cases of “complex water seepage”, ranging from wall leaks to seepage from units above. Many leaks in HDB flats come from hidden sources, like ageing pipes behind walls or under floors, which can corrode or crack over time.
Singapore’s humid weather and frequent heavy rainfall only make things worse, weakening walls, tiles, and waterproofing membranes. This can cause water to seep through ceilings or walls, turning a small leak into a bigger problem if left unchecked.
What you can do:
Turn off your main water and gas supply
Though it may sound simple, it’s one of the simplest and effective ways to prevent flooding, leaks, or unnecessarily high utility bills.
Flush and dry sinks, pails, and other containers
A familiar reminder from the dengue prevention ads, clearing out stagnant water helps prevent mosquito breeding and reduces the chance of mould forming in damp corners.
Image adapted from: Shopee Malaysia
Seal floor traps and drains
For bathrooms, kitchens, and service yards, tape and drain-cover stickers help to block sewer smells and prevent pests from crawling in.
Do a quick pre-trip leak check
Before you fly off, look for hairline cracks, bubbling paint, or water stains near windows, aircon ledges and ceilings. If anything looks suspicious, flag it to your town council or your MCST before you leave, rather than risk returning to new damage.
Prevent food spoilage & pests in the kitchen
Real homeowner problem:
“We came back after one two-week holiday, and there were cockroaches. We’ve never had a cockroach before that, and we had been living in the same flat for 10 years.” – u/readreadlearnlearn on Reddit
Pests will find anything that’s left exposed, whether it’s forgotten crumbs or an open cereal packet. And your fridge isn’t safe either, perishables left past their due date can leave stubborn odours that linger long after your return.
What you can do:
Clear perishables in your fridge to avoid rot
Finish or discard items with short shelf lives, such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy.
Store dry goods in sealed containers
Seal all pantry staples like rice and biscuits in airtight containers, so roaches and ants have fewer reasons to visit.
Empty all trash bins
Don’t forget the small bins in bedrooms or bathrooms, even the minor remnants can attract pests.
Switch your fridge to eco mode
Eco mode helps to save energy by slightly raising the internal temperature. If you’re travelling for 2 weeks or more, consider emptying the fridge and giving it a full wipe-down.
Use the “coin” freezer hack
For extra peace of mind, you can try this hack popular among homeowners: Freeze a cup of water with a coin on top. If the coin ends up at the bottom when you return, your fridge has probably lost power long enough for food to thaw, meaning anything perishable inside needs to be disposed of.
Prevent electrical surges & home appliance damage
Image credit: Line8
Common homeowner problem:
With thunderstorms happening regularly, especially during monsoon season, it’s common for homeowners to experience power trips while away.
Lightning strikes can cause sudden voltage spikes that can trip your circuit breaker or overload older electrical systems in HDBs. If there’s nobody to reset the circuit breaker or unplug devices in time, these surges can damage appliances or shut down essential devices like routers and CCTVs.
What you can do:
Unplug non-essential appliances
Appliances like your TV, desktop computers, and gaming consoles should be turned off and unplugged to reduce fire risks and protect your devices against power surges.
Plug essentials into surge protectors
Keep essentials, such as your wifi router and CCTV cameras, protected and functional during thunderstorms.
Image credit: HomeSmart
Use smart plugs and timers for peace of mind
You can use them to keep your lights on a schedule and run a dehumidifier periodically while you’re abroad.
Smart CCTVs and doorbell cameras with motion-detection features also give you an extra layer of security, making it easier to monitor your home while you’re abroad.
Final checks based on trip duration
Not all trips require the same level of home prep, so it helps to tailor your checklist based on how long you’ll be away. Longer trips would require extra precautions, and it’s best to let a trusted friend or family member have access to your home in case of an emergency.
It’s always better to overprepare than be underprepared, a few minutes of careful prep can keep your home safe, dry, and mould-free while you enjoy your break.
For more reads:
- Where to buy Christmas trees: 12 places to shop for real & faux trees before the festive season
- Why is this Sin Ming Avenue HDB top-floor, loft-style executive maisonette priced at $1.9M?
- Did you know there’s an “HDB estate” outside Singapore on Christmas Island?
Cover image adapted from: Uchify, Line8
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