For many people, the excitement of heading out on vacation comes with an unwelcome companion—nagging anxiety over whether they left something on at home. Whether it’s the stove, the thermostat, the iron, or even a curling iron, the worry can creep in just as the plane is about to take off. But according to Nicole Dieker of Lifehacker, there’s a simple and effective way to quiet that anxious voice: take a photo of your stove dials and appliances before leaving.
Why Do We Worry?
Many of us have had the experience of leaving for a long trip, only to be struck with a sudden moment of doubt—Did I actually turn the oven off? This kind of anxiety is common, especially when we break from daily routines.
As Dieker explains, when we head to work each morning, we follow a set pattern: we grab the same bag, check for our keys, and lock the door in a near-automatic process. But when we go on vacation, everything is different—our bags, clothes, schedules, and last-minute to-do lists throw us off, making it harder to recall small but important details.
The Simple Photo Trick That Works
Before heading out on vacation, simply snap a quick photo of:
✔ Your stove and oven dials
✔ Your thermostat settings
✔ Any appliances you worry about leaving on
By doing this, you create instant proof that everything is safely turned off. If you find yourself second-guessing later, all you have to do is open your phone’s photo gallery to check.
According to Dieker, the best part is that most people never even need to check the photo—just the act of pausing to take it reinforces the memory enough to provide peace of mind.
Bonus Benefits of This Habit
Aside from reducing travel stress, this photo habit can have other advantages:
- Building a reliable pre-travel routine: Just like checking for keys before leaving for work, snapping a photo can become a natural step before trips.
- Providing proof in case of accidents: If anything happens to your home while you’re away—such as a fire or break-in—you’ll have photographic evidence that it wasn’t caused by something you forgot to turn off.
Final Thoughts
Vacations are meant to be relaxing, and the last thing you want is to spend your trip worrying about whether you left something running at home. Taking a simple, 5-second photo before you leave can save you hours of stress, allowing you to focus on enjoying your trip instead of mentally retracing your steps.
So next time you're heading out for a getaway, grab your phone, snap a pic, and travel with peace of mind!
References
- Nicole Dieker, Lifehacker – “Take Photos of Stove Dials Before You Leave for Vacation“
- Lifehacker (2025) – Original article providing the travel anxiety photo tip
