TUI urges passengers to take important photo at home before arriving at airport

TUI urges passengers to take important photo at home before arriving at airport A TUI cabin crew member is urging holidaymakers to ensure they take one extra step before heading to the airport With the August Bank Holiday this weekend, thousands of Brits will be doing last-minute packing, checking passports and heading for the airport. However, TUI cabin crew are warning that one of the easiest holiday mistakes can happen before travellers even reach the airport. Faye Whittaker, a TUI cabin crew member, is urging holidaymakers to photograph every room in their home before going away, after years of seeing how small oversights can quickly turn into holiday stress. She has also revealed four other checks that cabin crew do before every trip. From food left in the fridge and missed deliveries piling up outside, to the dreaded airport panic of wondering whether the oven, straighteners or a window has been left on or open, Faye says it's often the things left behind at home that cause the biggest headaches once a trip is underway. She said: "As cabin crew, I'm regularly away from home for days at a time and over the years I've learnt that some of the biggest travel mistakes happen before you have even left for the airport." She added: "Most people are so focused on their packing and travel arrangements that they forget about what's happening back at home. From missed deliveries and food left sitting in the fridge to worries about whether a window was left open, small oversights can quickly become a source of stress once you're away. These are the checks I always carry out before a trip, whether I'm travelling for work or heading away on holiday myself." Not taking photos before you leave Faye says the quick photo trick takes less than a minute. The cabin crew member also says she sees it as a "non-negotiable" before any trip, helping travellers check their phones and put their minds at ease if they start second-guessing themselves. "Once you have done your final walkaround, take a quick photo or video of each room before you leave," she explained. "We've all had that last-minute panic of wondering whether we left the iron, straighteners or oven on. I've even been on my way to the airport before and found myself trying to picture whether I definitely switched everything off. "After travelling so much for work, taking a quick video before I leave the house has become a non-negotiable for me. It takes less than a minute, but it means that if I suddenly start second-guessing myself, I can check my phone and put my mind at ease straight away. "It can also be useful if you ever need to check something while you are away. While nobody likes to think about something going wrong, having recent photos or videos of your home and possessions may be helpful information to have available if you ever need to make an insurance claim or show what was inside your property." Forgetting to pause or rearrange deliveries "It's also worth checking whether you have any food deliveries, parcels or subscription boxes scheduled while you are away," she said. "Meal kit services such as HelloFresh or Gousto, grocery deliveries and regular household subscriptions can easily slip your mind when you are focused on packing. "Before you travel, search your emails for words like 'delivery', 'subscription', 'grocery' or 'parcel' so you can quickly spot anything due to arrive while you are away. Nobody wants fresh food sitting on the doorstep for a week, and visible parcels can also make it obvious that nobody is home." Leaving food and bins until the last minute Faye says: "One of the biggest mistakes people make is focusing on what's going into their suitcase and forgetting what's being left behind at home. Milk, leftovers, fruit and food waste can quickly create unpleasant smells, particularly during the warmer summer months. "Before leaving, check your fridge, throw away anything likely to expire and take the bins out so you don't return to an unwelcome surprise. A simple trick is to set a reminder on your phone for the evening before you travel, called 'fridge, bins and food waste'. It means you are not trying to remember everything while also dealing with last-minute packing." Not telling somebody you're going away "If you're away for longer than a few days, it's always worth letting a trusted neighbour, friend or family member know. Whether it's moving a parcel, watering plants, putting a bin out or spotting an issue early, having somebody nearby who knows you're away can provide real peace of mind," Faye added. "If you're away for a week or longer, consider using timer switches or smart lighting so your home appears occupied in the evenings. It's also worth asking someone you trust to move any post, parcels or bins that could make it obvious the property is 'empty'." Skipping the final five-minute walkaround "One of the most important things I do before every trip is a final walkaround of the house," she said. "Even when you've checked everything earlier in the day, it's surprisingly easy to miss an open window, unlocked door or appliance left running when you're rushing to leave for the airport. "I always recommend doing it in the same order every time – for example, starting upstairs and working down, so you are not wandering from room to room and forgetting what you've already checked. Look at windows, doors, plugs, taps and appliances, and make sure keys are not left in locks, window locks or somewhere visible from outside."