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About EGERIA > Checklists
On this page you will find a number of checklists to help you prepare for your Egeria Home Exchange.
Information Folder
It's a great idea to leave a log book or a guest information folder prominently placed in you home for your guest to help them 'navigate' your home and community.
Included should be the following, where applicable:
- Instructions for use of appliances
- Location of fuse box/ water tank/ etc
- Location of emergency kit (see checklist)
- Phone numbers for the house
- Contact info for the hosts
- Instructions for computer use
- Alarm codes
- Location and codes/keys for bicycle locks and location of helmets
- Brochures for local points of interest
- Suggestions for walks from home
- Train/ bus contact info
- Taxi info
- Keys for house, garage and car
- Maps
- Restaurant/ delivery brochures
- Instructions for any pet/plant/garden care
- Instructions for lighting
- Instructions for garden/lawn watering
- Location of supplies eg light bulbs, fuses, soap, rubbish bags etc
- Procedure for garbage removal
- Recycling info
- Location of cleaning supplies
- Instructions for mail collection
- Directions to parish church or monastery; names of clergy/ abbot/ abbess
- Any other special instructions or information
- Departure instructions (see checklist)
Preparing your House for a Guest
- Clean and tidy
- Dresser drawer and/or closet space cleared for guest
- Linens/ bedding prepared
- All household supplies fully stocked (see checklist)
- Information folder (see checklist) complete and placed in prominent location.
- Valuables put away.
It is a nice gesture to provide a welcome basket of snacks and other small gifts for your guest. If you are able, leave a few food staples like bread, butter, cereal, coffee, tea and milk. Just be sure to write a note that any perishables are still fresh and that you want your guest to enjoy them!
Household Supply Checklist
Please ensure the following supplies are fully stocked:
- first aid kit
- emergency kit (see checklist)
- lightbulbs
- flashlight with batteries
- dish/ dishwasher soap
- laundry soap
- linens and bedding
- kitchen towels and cloths
- garbage bags and bins
- hand soap
- toilet tissue
- pet food (if applicable)
- cleanup supplies (floor cleaners, kitchen and bathroom cleaners and mops, sponges, etc)
Emergency Kit Checklist
- flashlight with batteries
- first aid kit
- names and contact info of neighbours
- emergency services phone numbers
- water and nonperishable food supply (enough for 72 hours is usually recommended)
- candles and matches
- battery-operated radio
- campstove and fuel
Departure Checklist
In the flurry of preparations to receive a guest for home exchange, departure instructions can sometimes be overlooked! Please ensure that you and your exchange partner discuss what should happen when each leaves the other's home. Answer the following questions for each home:
- Where do the keys get left?
- Do we wash and dry bedding and towels or just put them in a pile?
- All lights off? Some left on?
- Heat completely off?
- Unplug all electrical appliances?
- All household garbage out?
- Clean thoroughly or just do the basics?
- Gas tanks of cars topped up?
- Money left to cover utilities, or do we just call it even?
Welcome Gift Ideas for Your Guest
- local delicacy items: honey, coffee, preserves, etc
- luxury soaps or hand creams
- bottle of wine
- tickets to movie theatre or live show
- restaurant gift certificate
- icon, incense or some other item from your parish bookstore
