September 3, 2026, 8:31 am | Read time: 4 minutes
A flight attendant has urged in the British press to photograph your home before traveling. The reason isn’t to bring back reverse souvenirs from your trip, meaning to reminisce about your own four walls while away. In fact, the reasons are as simple as they are ingenious.
Why You Should Photograph Your Home Before Traveling
No matter how far in advance a trip is planned, things often get hectic right before departure. Quickly gather the last items, close the suitcase, and head out the door. Perhaps you know the feeling: As soon as you’re in the car or on your way to the airport, doubts suddenly arise. This could largely be avoided if you had photographed all the rooms in your home before leaving.
Checking Things While on the Go
Faye Whittaker, a flight attendant with Tui Airways, explained the idea in more detail to the British “The Mirror.” According to her, when packing, the focus is mainly on what you want to take with you. But out of sight, out of mind doesn’t apply to your home.
Whittaker is often away from home due to her job. As she explained to the newspaper, she knows “that feeling of panic just before the airport” all too well. She wonders if she might have left any electronic devices on. Therefore, documenting the entire home is a non-negotiable part of her departure preparation. This way, she can look at photos or videos of specific areas of her home while traveling and ensure she left everything as it should be.
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Forget Less Thanks to a Check Walk
The TRAVELBOOK editorial team was quickly convinced by Whittaker’s suggestion. Especially since photographing or filming the home not only allows you to check from afar if the plug is pulled, the windows are closed, and the stove is off. Before you empty your carry-on because you’re not sure if you packed the pillbox or the book you planned to read, a glance at the bedroom photo suffices. At the same time, the walk through all the rooms can help ensure nothing is forgotten. You might notice things that weren’t at the top of your packing list but that you still want to take with you.
Also Helpful for Others–or in an Emergency
Depending on how long you’re traveling, you might have friends, neighbors, or acquaintances checking in to see if everything is okay, watering plants, or emptying the mailbox. The photos can also be helpful for them. First, they know how everything should look. And they could more quickly recognize if something is wrong or has changed during their check if they have pictures of the before state. An open window, an unusually shifted door, or an item suddenly in a different place is more noticeable in direct comparison.
Because despite the excitement of vacation, one shouldn’t forget that a home left empty for a long time is a prime target for burglars. Therefore, it’s sensible to create the illusion of presence; TRAVELBOOK has collected detailed tips on protecting your home while on vacation here.
If something does happen during your absence and an insurance claim arises, current photos or videos can document the original state of your home and facilitate the claims process.