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Locking up and leaving your home for a few weeks can be a daunting prospect for those who are heading overseas for a holiday. As you won't be returning soon, it is crucial to ensure that your belongings and your home is safe and secure from any internal or external threats. This is why it is necessary to put certain safety measures in place before your travel date and create a checklist for the day of departure. Here's a step by step by guide to enjoying peace of mind while away on vacation.

Dubai residents with pets must first make sure that they have a pet sitter for the duration of their holiday or find a temporary refuge for their furry friends while they are away. If you are choosing to have a pet sitter come and go on a daily basis, it is necessary to leave a key in a safe location or entrust it to the sitter and create some rules and guidelines on what their responsibilities are beyond feeding and caring for the pets. Since the sitter will have access to your home or apartment, it is important not to leave any valuables lying around and lock the rooms that are not used so that the sitter only has access to the public areas of your residence.

Holidaymakers based at Avani Deira Dubai Hotel and other resorts will note that leaving the A/C on in your room even while you are away is one of the best things to do in Deira Dubai in order to avoid your room getting warmer while you are away, especially if it is during the sultry summer season. Homeowners and apartment dwellers should also follow suit as heat and mould can build up inside your home if your air-conditioning is switched off for too long. Experts recommend leaving the A/C on at 26 degrees as it is sufficient to keep the air inside the house moving and to avoid dampness from setting in. It is prudent to use air-conditioners with timers so that you can programme for the A/C to be on several hours a day but not 24/7.

Image via Avani Deira Dubai Hotel

Dubai residents who are fortunate enough to have gardens and potted plants outside or on the balconies at home must make sure there is a watering mechanism in place. The harsh rays of the sun can not only damage plants but potentially kill plants if they are not regularly watered. If you use a garden to prim and prune your outdoor space, you can trust him to do the needful while you are on vacation or have a friend or neighbour pop by every day or every few days to water the plants.

It is important to make sure that all of your kitchen appliances and electronics are turned off and plugged off while you are away. This includes the washing machine, microwave and devices such as laptops and televisions as it is easy to damage these sensitive equipment by leaving them on for too long. Check your lamps, light switches and Wi-Fi router before you leave to make sure you are not wasting energy and running up electricity bills while on holiday. The only appliance that should be left on is the refrigerator as you will need it to be ready to work as soon as you come home. Leaving refrigerators off for extended periods can cause issues down the line so it is prudent to leave it on. Your water supply and heater must also be turned off as per the recommendations of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.

Tipped to be among the most convenient and efficient ways of getting from Point A to Point B, the Dubai Metro offers locals and visitors quick transfers around the city. Whether you are visiting Dubai as a business traveller or touring the dynamic city as a tourist, it is important to know how to use this public mode of transportation. From purchasing tickets to understanding the metro lines and the areas they cover, here are some tips on how to use the Dubai Metro during your stay.

Tourists landing at the Dubai International Airport can start using the Dubai Metro right away as the metro line includes two stops inside the airport. Those who wish to reach the Avani Deira Dubai Hotel or any other hotel in Dubai Deira or elsewhere can board the metro from Terminal 3 and Terminal 1. Travellers can also use the metro to reach the airport on their departure date as taking the metro is at least 4 times less costly than using a taxi. The metro allows one passenger to carry two pieces of luggage and includes a big suitcase and a carry-on.

The easiest way to get around Dubai is by using an NOL card, which not only pays for your metro transfers and rides but also fares for buses, taxis, trams, water buses and even for using parking facilities. Sold at metro stations, supermarkets the likes of Carrefour and Spinney's as well as bus stations, these cards can be topped up in value as you go. Just keep in mind that unused money will not be refunded so it is best to recharge as and when you need to travel. The Dubai Metro fare is calculated according to how many travel zones one has passed while there are also daily passes with unlimited travel options. The Gold Card is the most expensive and allows one to travel in first class. The Silver Card and Red Card are less costly and popular options among local commuters.

One of the biggest perks of riding the Dubai Metro instead of relying on other transportation methods is that you can use free Wi-Fi as you travel. It is necessary to have a UAE SIM card to be eligible for this service. The Dubai Metro map is easy to figure out as most stations are named after famous landmarks and neighbourhood names in the city. Alternatively, you can use Google Maps to help you decide where to get off.

Once you enter a metro station, you will find that there is a ticketing counter from which you can buy tickets or travel cards. After purchasing the right card, one must then proceed to the gate and tap the card on the card reader. Make sure your card is tucked away safely after this as you will need to tap out when you exit the metro network. After tapping in, escalators will take you to train platforms where you can board trains that travel in various directions.

Faster and more reliable than the bus, the metro is both clean and safe, especially for solo female travellers. There are CCTV cameras installed inside every carriage and the platforms are well-lit at all times. The metro line covers over 70km and includes 32 stops along the way and those who use the metro must make sure that they do not eat or drink onboard the carriages.

Children who are under 5 years of age or 90cm in height can ride the Dubai Metro free of charge although children who are older must buy tickets. Trains are usually available every 3 minutes or every 5 to 7 minutes. There are special compartments for women and children although travelling females need not ride in these segregated carriages if they do not wish to. They can use the standard carriages with male passengers.