Before You Go on Holiday... An Electrical Checklist
There's something satisfying about finally getting everything ready for a holiday.
The bags are packed, the itinerary is sorted, the fridge is cleaned out and you've remembered to water the plants. But there's one last thing that's easy to overlook: your home's electrical setup while you're away.
Most of us don't think twice about our electrical systems when everything is working normally. But an empty home means appliances may be left running for days or weeks without anyone there to notice a problem.
Before you head off, take a few minutes to walk through your home and check the basics.
Here's our practical pre-holiday electrical checklist.
1. Unplug appliances you don't need
Not every appliance needs to stay plugged in while you're away.
Where practical, switch off and unplug things such as:
TVs and entertainment systems
Computers and monitors
Gaming consoles
Phone and tablet chargers
Small kitchen appliances
Lamps and decorative lighting
Leaving appliances on standby can use unnecessary energy, and unplugging non-essential electronics also reduces the number of electrical devices operating while nobody is home.
Just remember: some appliances and systems are designed to remain powered, so don't unplug anything if doing so could affect your home's safety, security or essential functions.
2. Don't leave chargers plugged in unnecessarily
Phone, laptop and other device chargers are easy to forget.
Before leaving, have a quick look around bedrooms, living areas and home offices and unplug chargers that aren't needed.
It's particularly worth checking for damaged chargers, frayed cables, cracked plugs or anything that becomes unusually hot during use.
If a charger or power lead looks damaged, don't continue using it simply because it's convenient.
3. Check your power boards
Holiday preparation is a good excuse to look behind the furniture where power boards often disappear.
Make sure you aren't leaving:
Overloaded power boards running unnecessarily
Power boards connected to other power boards
Damaged extension leads
Cables trapped underneath furniture
Portable heaters connected to power boards
If something looks damaged, hot or unusual, remove it from use.
And remember: a power board doesn't create additional electrical capacity. It simply allows multiple devices to connect to the same outlet.
4. Check your smoke alarms
Your smoke alarms are particularly important when the house is empty.
Before you leave:
Test them.
Press the test button and make sure the alarm sounds correctly.
It's also worth checking that they're clean, unobstructed and within their recommended service life.
If a smoke alarm is beeping, damaged, not responding to the test button or approaching the end of its service life, have it investigated before you leave rather than simply ignoring it.
For homes in Western Australia, smoke alarm requirements can also depend on the type of property and circumstances, so if you're unsure whether your alarms are compliant, it's worth getting professional advice.
5. Think about your security system
If you have a security system, CCTV cameras, an alarm or smart doorbell, make sure everything is working before you leave.
Do a quick check that:
Cameras are online
Camera lenses aren't obstructed
Your alarm is functioning
Sensors are working
Your security system has power
Your app can connect to your system if you use remote monitoring
This is also a good opportunity to check that your outdoor security lighting is working.
There's little point having a security camera pointed at the driveway if a tree branch, cobweb or overgrown plant has slowly blocked its view.
6. Check your outdoor electrical equipment
Your backyard is easy to forget when you're rushing to leave.
Take a quick look at outdoor power points, lighting and electrical equipment.
Check for obvious signs of:
Damage
Cracked fittings
Loose covers
Exposed cables
Water damage
Unusual discolouration
If you have outdoor extension leads or temporary electrical equipment that doesn't need to remain connected while you're away, pack it away.
Outdoor electrical equipment is exposed to weather and the elements, so it's worth keeping unnecessary equipment disconnected and protected.
7. Don't leave portable heaters running
This one is particularly important during the cooler months.
Portable heaters can draw significant electrical load and should never be left operating when you're not at home.
Before you leave, check bedrooms, living areas and home offices for heaters that may have been left plugged in or switched on.
The same principle applies to other high-load appliances: if you don't need it operating while you're away, switch it off.
8. Check your switchboard
You don't need to open your switchboard or touch anything inside it.
Instead, simply take a look from the outside.
If you've noticed your safety switches or circuit breakers tripping regularly before your holiday, don't simply reset them and hope for the best.
Repeated tripping can be a sign that something needs investigating.
It's much better to deal with an electrical fault before you leave than discover you've returned home to a problem.
Never attempt to carry out electrical work inside a switchboard yourself. Electrical work should be carried out by a licensed electrician.
9. Consider what needs to stay switched on
While unplugging unnecessary appliances is sensible, don't assume everything should be switched off.
Some systems are intended to operate while you're away.
Depending on your home, this could include:
Refrigeration
Security systems
Internet equipment
Pool equipment
Automatic irrigation
Essential medical equipment
Certain smart home systems
The goal isn't to switch off everything.
It's to know what needs to stay on and what doesn't.
10. Be careful with timers and smart plugs
Timers and smart plugs can be useful for making your home look occupied while you're away.
For example, you might use them to operate selected lamps at different times.
But make sure the devices you're using are suitable for the appliance and are in good condition.
Avoid creating complicated temporary setups with multiple extension leads, power boards and adapters.
Simple is usually better.
11. Don't forget the garage
The garage can be one of the most overlooked areas of the house.
Before leaving, check:
Power tools are switched off and unplugged
Battery chargers aren't unnecessarily left running
Extension leads are stored safely
Garage lighting is switched off
Appliances aren't connected unnecessarily
Nothing is pressing against cables or power points
If you have an electric garage door, make sure it's operating normally before you leave.
12. Look for warning signs before you go
Your holiday checklist isn't just about switching things off.
It's also an opportunity to notice anything that doesn't look quite right.
Keep an eye out for:
Flickering lights
Buzzing or crackling sounds
Burning smells
Warm power points or switches
Discoloured outlets
Repeatedly tripping circuit breakers
Appliances that are behaving differently
Damaged cables or plugs
These aren't things to ignore simply because you're heading away.
If you've noticed an electrical issue before your holiday, getting it checked beforehand can give you much greater peace of mind.
What About When You Come Home?
Your electrical checklist doesn't have to end when you leave.
When you return, take a quick look around before reconnecting everything.
If there has been a storm, power outage or other unusual event while you were away, check that your electrical systems and appliances appear to be operating normally.
If you notice anything unusual — particularly burning smells, damaged equipment, tripped breakers or signs of overheating — don't keep using the affected equipment until it's been properly assessed.
Save this checklist to your phone and run through it before you lock the door.
Going away should be about switching off and enjoying your break — not worrying about whether you left something running at home.
You don't need to become an electrician to make your home safer before a holiday. A simple walk around the house, a few sensible checks and a little preparation can go a long way. And if something doesn't look right, don't ignore it. Electrical problems are much easier to deal with before you leave than after you've returned from your holiday.
Something doesn't look right? Get it checked before you go.
Sublime Electrical Co provides residential electrical services across Perth, with a focus on practical advice, quality workmanship and keeping your home safe and running smoothly.