14 Things Families Always Did Before Leaving the House in the 1970s

Families in the 1970s established their departure routine because they needed to complete certain tasks which had become regular customs for them to follow. They checked stoves and appliances to prevent accidents, locked doors and windows by hand, and ensured every child was present before departure. The group counted cash and coins while people adjusted their clothing according to the weather and they turned off lights to save electricity. They fed and secured their pets while they sometimes told neighbors about their departure. The group checked their keys to prevent becoming locked out while they reminded their children to use the bathroom before departure.

1. Checking the Stove and Appliances

Before leaving the house, all household members checked the kitchen stove. Families used gas burners because they were common, and families had experienced or heard stories about accidents that happened when people left flames burning. Mothers paused at the doorway to their house, which she used to enter and leave, to check the stove knobs and ensure they were fully shut off. Electric stoves use glowing coils as visual cues; people should treat them with the same safety measures as regular stoves. People needed to unplug their coffee percolators, irons, and early electric kettles because automatic shutoff features had not yet become common. The pattern of behavior became established as a religious practice.

2. Locking Doors and Windows Manually

Households in the 1970s did not have security systems because they were uncommon. Families depended on their strong bonds and security practices. The person responsible for checking locks moved through the house to examine every door lock. The inspection process included windows, with special attention to those at ground level. The sliding windows reached their maximum closing point while the latches were fastened. The final person to exit the house performed this duty, although it usually fell to one of the parents. The act carried a quiet seriousness. The family maintained their normal pace even though they were already behind schedule.

3. Gathering and Counting the Children

Parent verification of their children’s presence and preparedness occurred before their departure. The task proved difficult for families with multiple children. Children moved slowly because they became distracted and left to fetch their toys or finish their tasks. Mothers usually repeated their children’s names until they were certain their child was present. The procedure turned into a loud, somewhat disorganized event during peak household activity, which occurred on weekends and during church preparation. Fathers stood at the entrance to count children while they moved through the space, either standing in line or passing through. The process functioned like a basic attendance check.

4. Bringing Cash and Loose Change

People built their financial resources before they exited their home. People used credit cards for their daily shopping. Most payments used physical money. Fathers checked their wallets while mothers used small handbags to carry their money. Public phones, parking meters, and small purchases needed coins as their main payment method. People followed this process because they needed cash for their outside activities. People relied on traditional banking methods because there were no instant digital payment options available. Children received coin gifts, which they stored in their pockets. The small task gave them a feeling of belonging to the group.

5. Adjusting Clothing for Weather and Occasion

People needed to check their clothes before leaving their homes. They used their personal experience and outdoor observation to determine the weather because weather forecasts were not yet available to them. Mothers adjusted their children’s clothing by adding sweaters or removing layers based on current weather conditions. Men checked their hair and straightened their collars before inspecting their shoes to confirm they were suitable for the outing. The people would gather between the doorway and the area where the mirror and coat rack were located. Families showed extra concern about their appearance when they went to church or school events or social visits.

6. Turning Off Lights and Conserving Electricity

The habitual practice of turning off every unnecessary light in the home before departing became another common activity people performed before leaving home. Electricity expenses forced families to control their power consumption throughout the decade as prices kept rising. Children were instructed to turn off the lights in their bedrooms, living rooms, and bathrooms before leaving their rooms. Responsibility was shared among all family members because the parents took charge of the final home inspection. The routine progressed to different rooms of the house. A parent would conduct a house inspection by turning off all lights and appliances.

7. Feeding Pets and Securing Them Properly

Families checked their pets’ needs before they left their house. Dogs, cats, and rabbits needed their owners to provide them with food and protection. The bowls received water and dry food, while some contained leftover food for the dogs. Children were responsible for this task, but parents needed to check whether they had completed it correctly. Pets needed to be secured for protection. Dogs require indoor space, fenced yard access, or a chain for their protection needs. During the 1970s, most neighborhoods allowed dogs to stay in yards while families kept their gates closed. Some households kept their cats indoors, while others allowed them to roam outside.

8. Leaving Notes or Informing Neighbors

The 1970s required people to communicate with others before they departed their homes. Families used basic methods to inform others about their whereabouts because they did not possess mobile phones. People used to write their destinations, companions, and expected return times on notes that they left behind. The system operated in silence but achieved successful results. Families in nearby areas decided to tell their neighbors about their travel plans. People used their backyards and doorways for brief conversations, which helped them learn about their neighbors’ upcoming activities. Neighbors in the community would watch over vacant houses because all residents shared the duty of protecting their neighborhood.

9. Grabbing House Keys and Assigning Responsibility

The practice of hiding spare keys outside, as outlined in today’s procedures, did not exist during the period when spare keys were hidden outside or kept in secure lockboxes. The responsibility often fell to one person, who usually acted as the single parent and had to supervise all the children except the oldest ones, who were allowed to join. People stored keys either in their pockets or small purses, or they hung them on hooks located next to the entrance door. The occasion came with a standard reminder for the people present. The question “Do you have the keys?” existed as a typical inquiry that people asked before they exited the building.

10. Making Sure Everyone Used the Bathroom

Parents used to tell their children to go to the bathroom before they left the house. The bathroom break functioned as a solution to maintain flow during extended travel, including both driving and running errands. People had to search for public restrooms because they were not readily available, and bathroom breaks caused unexpected delays during their travel. Mothers usually asked more than once, knowing children might say no just to leave faster. Despite their insistence, parents sent their children back inside because they wanted them to try the activity again. Before the family left their home, they took a break, which became their established pre-departure ritual.

11. Preparing the Car Before Departure

Families checked their car before departure to verify its operational status. In the 1970s, drivers had to perform more maintenance on their vehicles than they do on modern cars. The drivers examined their fuel meters, performed tire inspections, and sometimes opened the engine compartment for inspection. They needed to maintain their oil and radiator water levels because they planned to drive for extended periods. The maintenance checks from that time helped drivers avoid vehicle failures, which occurred frequently. Fathers conducted brief vehicle inspections that their children often observed. The small demonstration taught him basic vehicle maintenance skills.

12. Packing Essentials for the Trip

People in the 1970s had to bring everything they needed before they could leave their homes. The people traveling needed to pack handkerchiefs, snacks, water, and small toys for their children. Mothers used basic bags and baskets to store their things. People needed to prepare their travel equipment because ready-made travel kits did not exist. The practice enabled parents to keep their children content during their outings while stopping less frequently. They used handkerchiefs to clean their hands and faces because it was a common practice. They also packed sandwiches and biscuits as snacks during their extended trips.

13. Saying a Quick Prayer Before Leaving

In the 1970s, many families stopped their activities to say a brief prayer before departing their homes. The practice became standard among religious households with Christian families living throughout the United States and other countries. The parents asked everyone to gather near the entrance or in the main room while they requested protection for their journey and support for the rest of the day. The children maintained silence by standing still, hands linked, as their parent led the prayer in a peaceful, constant tone. The moment created a sense of togetherness that people had before their departure. The experience lasted only a short time but was of significant importance.

14. Doing a Final Sweep of the House

People conducted final inspections of their homes before their departure. A parent walked through each room, checking small details that might have been missed. The team took three specific actions to fix the situation, which included adjusting the curtains, closing the interior doors, and fixing any items that were out of their designated places. The final sweep through the house confirmed that everything was arranged properly before the house was scheduled to be unoccupied. The habit provided people with a method to achieve their desired state of mind. The final action needed to exit the building required him to lock the door.

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• 1970s