What must be ensured during pre-departure preparations?

During pre-departure preparations, it is vital to ensure that the galleys are secured and the exit seats are verified for several reasons related to safety and operational readiness. Securing the galleys is essential to prevent any equipment or supplies from becoming projectiles during takeoff, which could pose a risk to crew and passenger safety. Additionally, verifying the exit seats ensures that all emergency exits are accessible and that passengers assigned to these seats are briefed and capable of assisting during an emergency evacuation if necessary. This critical step helps to ensure that safety procedures are in place and that the aircraft is prepared for takeoff.

Ensuring that flight attendants are seated, dimming cabin lights, and checking that video equipment is functional are certainly important aspects of preparing for departure, but they do not directly impact immediate safety or the operational readiness of the aircraft in the same way that securing galleys and verifying exit seats do.