Spring has got us daydreaming about the big summer holidays we'll be heading on in just a matter of weeks.

But if you're going to be leaving your kitchen for a fortnight, what might it be wise to sort out before you go?

Clear up the kitchen

You don't want to return home and find nothing but food that's gone off in your fridge, so get everything that you won't be able to use on your return cleared out pre-travel - and give anything you can away to a good home to avoid waste.

On the other hand, you won't want to come back from your holiday with your stomach rumbling and nothing to eat around. So it's a good idea to make sure you've got some things on hand so that you'll be able to make a meal on your return. Failing that, make sure you have a plan for what you'll be doing for food when you get back, even if it's a take-away.

Leaving everything shiny-clean is a common goal before we travel. Though you'll clearly be prioritising packing for your break, if you have time to make the kitchen look lovely pre-holiday, so much the better!

Wipe down the sides, leave a nice new bag in the bin, and generally get the room looking as pristine as you're hoping that holiday cottage will be when you get there!

We'd also recommend double checking you've not left any clothes in the washing machine where they could end up being dried-out and smelly on your return, if you've recently washed them and forgotten to hang them up.

Meanwhile, don't put things in your dishwasher and forget them - you could return from your break to find plates and bowls covered in clogged-on food. So you've got all the cutlery and crockery you need ready for your post-holiday meal, make sure it's all washed and stored away before you leave.

Kitchen Security

Like the rest of your house, it's wise to keep the kitchen secure if you're going to be away.

For example, the kitchen is often where the back door of a home opens into - and it's perhaps easier to forget to check this door is properly locked if it's not the one you use most often.

Anti-household crime tips from Churchill Home Insurance include using timers which will turn lights on at certain times, if you're leaving the house for some time.

They recommend security lights and other security features like burglar alarms: We'd add that you should make sure it's clear from the back of your home, as well as the front, that it's protected by an alarm.

Garden gates should be closed and windows locked when a home's occupants are away, says Churchill.

One oft-repeated anti burglar tip is to not put valuable items where they can be seen. It may be easy to forget that things in the kitchen, like mixers and coffee makers, could be spotted through the window, and may be best off placed in a cupboard while you're holidaying.