In the property
Locate smoke alarms and fire extinguishers on day one. Most partner properties have hardwired alarms; check they're not silenced. Know the route to the front door in the dark. Photograph any existing damage to the property so you're not blamed for it on checkout — a 30-second protect-yourself move.
On the road
Long contracts mean a lot of motorway miles. Tyre pressures monthly, oil weekly if you're old-school, fluid top-ups before any long drive. A breakdown an hour from base is an evening lost; in winter it's a hospital trip.
Personal — the soft stuff
A weekly call home, however brief. A trusted colleague who knows where you are. A first-aid kit in the van and in the property. None of this seems important until it does.