Lately we’ve heard several news regarding flash floods, wildfires and earthquakes that caused more or less serious problems or damages.
Whatever the gravity of the natural disaster (we are thinking of regions afflicted by tornadoes or areas not prepared for sudden water-floods), if unluckily it happens during our home swapping period, it is very important to be provident and ready to cope with the unpleasant event.

That’s why it is essential to leave clear and precise instructions in case of any emergencies when we arrange our home exchange. Useful phone numbers and addresses must be exchanged: police, ambulance, hospital, doctor, fire brigade, veterinarian (if we are “swapping” our pets too), mountain rescue (if we have planned to go hiking or trekking), disaster relief, breakdown service…If the list seems long and obsessively exaggerated just think that it is better to be safe than sorry.

Also, if during our home exchange we’ll be looking after our home exchange partners’ pets, let’s be sure that we know what to do with them in case of emergency (where to bring them, etc.). Moreover, if our swapper has a very expensive Jaguar or Ferrari in the garage, make sure that someone has the keys to move it in case of need. And viceversa.

It is very important to communicate and to build confidence with our home exchange partners, as we pointed out in a previous post.

Planning a house swap has many advantages, but in order to leave serenely it is worth thinking also to the “safety details”. For instance, it is imperative to have our home exchange partners’ phone number as well as a neighbour’s or a relative’s (people that may know the house and have a copy of the keys).