An essential part of any summer holiday is the last-minute flurry of preparation as you get ready to leave your house and all your belongings unattended for a week or two. While the worry of something untoward happening is ever-present, there are a few last-minute things you can do to keep your house safe while you’re gone.

While you’re soaking up the fresh air and sunshine at the beach, you don’t want to be worrying about what’s happening back at your place. What are the long-term things you should be doing now to make sure your house remains damage-free?

Before the silly season kicks in, it’s a great idea to make sure your car is ready for all that summer has to throw at it. Here are a few tips for smooth summer motoring.