BETTER SURE THAN SORRY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 72, 17 December 1937, Page 19 (Supplement)

BETTER SURE THAN SORRY

Don't spoil a holiday by trying to remember wliether you switched off the eiectric iron. Think how that pleasant raihvay journey will be spoilt if you are not sure that the bath tap wasn't left running. Such things happen, to the later annoyance of people in the flat beneath, and a good deal of complaint from the one who has to pay the consequent bill. Holidays are for complacency and the enjoyment of Nature. Worrying over whether the milkman is still leaving bottles on the doorstep every morning is hardly calculated to give that "c.ean and uncontaminated ozone" a fair chance. Then again, especially if you live in a liat, are you sure that after Jocking rp, fastening the windows inside and secuving all means of entry, you really have the key with you? It's such a woiry, so wliy not let a trusty neighbour look after it? You could then Alecp in peace at your holiday apartir.enti, lt nowing sudden storms or any uuLorcsoen mischief of fate at your lioiue could be adequately dealt with. 'Lhls prepaiation for going away even for a coupie of day3 or a week-end is, .a ils eaily siages (says an exchange),-' a pIc.isanL business. Even packing — t.iking your prettiest clothes and contriviug a clcver outfit to suit the brief oxoiting exojoricnce of luxury in holiday idleness gives you a thrill. It is a pity to let panic spoii the fun of it all just as you are on the way. ( This is the praofcical method: Before you go, pia up a pcncilled list in a oonspicuous srjot. On this should be written the esseutial things to be seen to according to one's circumstances. Here, for instance, is the list of a woman of business. With a final glance befcia picking up her luggage and going dc-wn to the taxi, she makes sure all these iteins are crossed out: — Local post office notified to forward lctterK. Daily uewspaper redirected. Jifilkman and baker ; supplies stopped until day of return. Pay bills, rates, rent to save expense later on. Notify post office re telephone. All clectric switches off. Turn gas off at meter. Taru off water taps. Lock important boxes and drawers. Shut and fasteii windows and outer doors. It is quite a good' idea also to make out a packing list. Write down the principal items packed, or make a complete inventory if possiblfe, If the thousand-to-one chance happens to be you and your boxes go astray, your complete ehecking list will do much to establish a claim for full compensation. If you adopt this simple method of making sure, no little imps of doubt about gas or the unlocked cash box will rise up to tortiient you when you are on your way between home and holiday. And one last word of warning — don't leave a little message pinned on your front door, "Have gone away for two weeks" — it is such a temptation to roving gipsies and small boys on the look out for new adventure. Not, of course, that the children would aetually enter the house, but they have been known to wreck an absent householder's garden. In any case when you intend to be away from home for longer than a few dajs it is always wiser to notify your local police station, Then the constables on duty in your neighbourhood will keep a weather eye open for any undesirables. , So now pack your bags, put on your brightest smile and your smartest suit, and say "good-bye" to the house witli an easy and care-free mind.