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Be prepared and you'll be sure to have an enjoyable holiday departing from Birmingham Airport. So dig out your baggage and use our following advice on packing tips, luggage allowances and security tips. |
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It's In Your Suitcase ... |
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We all take time preparing where we're going to go on holiday, and when. But do we all take the same care when planning to leave our homes empty for weeks and packing our bags? Utilise our easy to use, step by step guide on packing tips, luggage allowance, baggage and home security tips for prefect pre-holiday preparation!
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Here you will find essential unofficial information on preparing to leave for Birmingham Airport.
It's considered to be one of the worst things that can happen - our homes being burgled. Yet why do we leave our homes empty for weeks without doing all we can to secure it? Nearly half of all break-ins occur when a home is left empty for long periods of time so it's something we all need to think about.
Follow our simple tips and help secure your home:
- The milkman, newspapers - cancel all your deliveries
- Don't order anything that will come Recorded Delivery - it will be returned to the Post Office for one week, before being returned to the sender. An obvious sign you aren't home
- Rearrange any meetings you have whilst you are away
- Arrange for friends or family to remove post, papers etc. from your doorstep from time to time.
- Use up or bin any perishable items in your fridge
- Switch off all plug sockets like your television, computer, etc. as a fire prevention measure
- Turn off your central heating and hot water so you are not wasting energy (and money) if travelling in the summer months. If travelling over the winter reduce your central heating time and temperature
- If you are leaving your pets with friends make sure they have met plenty of times, and you have left a full supply of food and treats. Or, if your cats or dogs are going to a kennel or cattery, pack their basket, toys and favourite treats
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Our home and contents are our most valuable assets, as well as putting an invaluable cost on our sentimental possessions. Because of this we must do our utmost to protect them whilst we are away. Take note of our Top Ten Home Security Tips - easy to use and hugely effective.
These top ten home security tips will fill you with peace of mind that you've done your best to protect your home.
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Top Ten Home Security Tips |
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1. Automatic Lighting |
Confuse any potential burglars by making your home look lived in by setting some of your lights on timers so that they go on and off at different times. |
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2. Post |
Excess post built up by your front door is a perfect give-away to a burglar that no-one’s home! Arrange for a friend or neighbour to pick them up for you each day or two.
It's also worth noting that Royal Mail operate a service called Keepsafe whereby your post will be stored for up to 2 months. |
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3. Deliveries |
Cancel any milk or newspaper deliveries for the duration you are away so it doesn't give-away you aren't home. |
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4. Baggage Tags: |
Leave writing your home address on your return luggage label until your return journey. It's an advert that your house is standing empty for a time. |
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5. House Checking: |
Ask local friends or family to pop into your home from time to time - this will confuse any burglars monitoring your home as a routine to the home standing empty won't be identified.
When your friends and family are at home ask them to park their car on your drive, open and close curtains each time so it looks like people are home.
And don't forget to leave your contact details with your family, friends or neighbours so that they can contact you in case of an emergency. |
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6. Neighbourhood Watch: |
Look at the possibility of joining a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in your area. Visit their website at www.neighbourhoodwatch.net to find out more. |
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7. Valuable Items: |
You may want to consider leaving valuable possessions and important documents with friends or family. Or you could ask your bank to lock them in a safe.
Many burglars are chancers - seeing your TV and stereo from the window is a temptation too great so move them out of sight.
Ensure you have adequate home and contents insurance that covers all of your valuables before you travel, just in case. Do check your home and contents insurance is in order before you leave, should the unthinkable happen. |
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8. Alarm: |
Ask a local friend or family member - or a trusted neighbour - to be a key holder for your alarm system in case it goes off.
Do make sure your alarm is set when you leave your property. |
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9. Outdoor Storage: |
Valuable items such as bikes and power tools normally kept in the shed could be left in your home during your time away. |
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10. Locks: |
All doors and windows should be locked securely shut. |
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Many local police forces offer free home security checks on your home. Contact your local force regarding this service for added peace of mind.
Once you've checked and double checked our Top Ten Home Security Tips you can be assured of...
... enjoying your holiday!
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All Airlines carry restrictions on luggage regarding baggage weight and security precautions.
Below you will find a general guide on baggage and luggage allowances, restricted and prohibited items that must not be packed in your hand luggage or main luggage.
If you are
travelling with large or outsized baggage you must contact your Airline prior to travel, alternatively call your Travel Agent for advice.
Luggage allowances do vary from Airline to Airline so check your flight ticket for individual weight restrictions. By checking your luggage allowances prior to your arrival at the airport will avoid any embarrassment at check-in, not to mention the time it will save you.
The maximum weight of an individual bag is 32kg (70lbs) or less. Should your luggage weighs more will be re-pack your luggage into a number of smaller bags so that the weight is more evenly distributed. If you have to take more luggage that that allowed you will be forced to either leave some of your luggage behind or be liable for a large fine.
Should you be wanting to take a large amount of baggage with you we advise you contact your Airline to find out their policies regarding additional hand or hold baggage allowances.
At check-in you will be asked a series of questions about your luggage, how and where it was packed. This is a directed by the British Government, which can be increased as the security alert heightens.
You can find more detailed unofficial information on restricted and prohibited items carried within main and hand luggage in the Security section of this website. |
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