For many of us, vacations are much-needed breaks from the daily grind. We look forward to finally unplugging from work, responsibilities and stress. But as those travel days approach, it’s natural to feel anxious about leaving your home unattended.
While getting a top-rated home security system is wise, it’s not the only way to protect your residence. We’ve gathered some tips to help you boost your home security while on vacation. From low-cost self-monitoring solutions to enlisting the help of friends, these ideas will help you relax and have fun on your getaway.
Key takeaways
Installing a home security system is the best way to protect your home while you’re away.
Use smart technology to make it look like you're still at home when you're away.
Burglars aren’t the only threat to your home while you’re on vacation — watch out for pests, floods and electrical fires.
1. Install a home security system
Installing a home security system is one of the best ways to prevent intruders from entering your home while you’re away. These systems come in different forms, from professionally installed and monitored setups to DIY options you can self-monitor with a smartphone.
Professionally installed and monitored systems
If you want ultimate peace of mind, invest in a professionally installed and monitored home security system like ADT or Vivint. These typically include door and window sensors, motion detectors and cameras that help you monitor your property 24/7. If the system detects a break-in and you’re not there to respond, the monitoring company will alert the authorities on your behalf.
While these systems are more expensive — the average home security system costs $280 to $1,150 for installation and around $22 to $35 per month for monitoring — they offer a comprehensive home security solution.
Self-monitored home security systems
pro tip
- Do you have a self-monitored system? Make sure your home security system’s app is up to date. Then, adjust your settings to get alerts on your phone so you always know what’s happening at home.
These budget-friendly systems include devices such as sensors, outdoor security cameras, security lights and video doorbell cameras that you can set up yourself.
With a DIY home security system like Ring or Google Nest, you can monitor your home from your smartphone. You’ll receive in-app alerts whenever there’s motion, or someone rings your doorbell. Outdoor security lights with motion sensors deter burglars by illuminating dark areas around your home. Security cameras and video doorbells let you check on your property from anywhere via Wi-Fi.
Alert your security company
If you have a professionally monitored system, remember to alert your security company before you leave. Let them know the dates you’ll be away and give them a phone number where they can reach you or your house sitter in case of an emergency.
2. Secure your home from the outside
Holiday home security doesn’t end after installing a security system. Taking these steps outside your home will help make it less attractive to burglars:
Lock all doors and windows
One of the easiest and most effective ways to secure your home is to lock all doors, windows, garages and fences before you leave. For added security, buy and install smart locks or portable door locks.
You make it much harder for burglars to get in when all entry points are locked. Smart locks let you control and monitor your locks remotely using your smartphone, while portable door locks provide an extra layer of protection without permanent installation. These come especially in handy when you own a vacation rental or Airbnb.
Have a friend or neighbor check on your home
pro tip
- Give a friend or neighbor their own set of keys and remove hidden spare keys around the property.
Having someone you trust regularly visit your home helps deter burglars and allows quick action in emergencies — like a water leak or power outage. They can also help maintain the appearance of an occupied home by collecting mail, watering plants or adjusting curtains and blinds.
Leave a car in the driveway — or don’t
A car parked in your driveway may signal someone is home, deterring potential burglars.?”Thieves look for the easiest targets — don’t let your home be one of them,” said Wes Hartkemeyer, a Madison, Wisconsin, police officer and the co-founder of Ireport, a modern police reporting system.
But he reminds homeowners who keep cars in driveways to remove garage door openers. “Garage door openers found in cars provide access to your home without needing to force entry inside.”
However, leaving a car in the driveway may not be ideal if you live in a snowy climate. David Ciccarelli, the CEO of Lake, an online vacation rental platform, suggests parking the car in a garage if you have one — especially in the winter. He said, “During winter break, you can always tell who’s on vacation because their car is on the driveway and completely snowed in. To anyone walking by or scouting a neighborhood, it’s obvious no one is home — making your residence a potential target.”
Suspend mail and newspaper deliveries
An overflowing mailbox or a pile of newspapers on your porch is a dead giveaway you’re away from home. This may attract unwanted attention from criminals and porch pirates.
If you’re gone for more than a few days, arrange to have your mail and newspaper deliveries suspended or redirected to your local post office. If this isn’t possible, ask a neighbor to collect your mail and packages. When your porch is clear of clutter, you make it look like the home is occupied — reducing the risk of theft.
3. Secure your home from the inside
Securing your home from the inside is as important as protecting it from the outside. These measures make your home look lived-in while you’re away:
Draw the curtains and close the blinds
Drawing your curtains prevents potential burglars from peeking inside and seeing no one’s home. It also stops them from spotting valuable items that might tempt them to break in.
Set your lights on a timer
Link a few timer switches to your lamps and set them to go on and off at different times throughout the day and night. This makes it look like someone’s home, moving from room to room and switching lights on and off as they go.
Turn electronics on — the smart way
Like your lights, you can use smart plugs to turn your TV, radio or other electronics on and off while you’re away. A TV’s sound and flickering light keep activity looking normal at home.
Put away your valuables
It’s never a good idea to leave valuable items like jewelry, car keys, cash, or expensive electronics out in plain sight. Lock them away in an unexpected but secure location, like deep in a kitchen pantry. If a burglar does manage to get in, you don’t want to make it easy for them to grab your most precious belongings.
Be careful with social media posts
As tempting as it is to share vacation photos on social media, it’s best to hold off until you’re back home.
When asked about the safest time to post about your vacation plans on social media, Gene Petrino, the co-owner of Survival Response LLC and retired SWAT Commander, warned against making your plans publicly known.
He explained that criminals often search for profiles where people check in at an airport or post about being away. “I’m aware of someone who vandalized their ex’s home while they were on vacation. The incident was captured on security cameras, and the person was charged,” Petrino shared.
But to prevent this from happening to you in the first place, wait until you’re back and share your photos with captions like, “We just got back from a fun vacation!”
Consider a house sitter
Ask a trusted friend, family member or professional house sitter to stay over while you’re gone. Having someone physically present in your home is wise to deter burglars. Plus, they can watch pets if you have them and deal with issues promptly, such as a leaky pipe or power outage.
4. Protect your home from other threats
While burglary is a significant concern when on vacation, it’s not the only potential threat to your property. Fires, floods and pests can also cause considerable damage while you’re away from home. Here’s how you can safeguard yourself against these risks:
Fires
Fires spread quickly once they start. Before you leave, unplug appliances that don’t need to stay connected — like toasters, coffee makers and hair straighteners. If they’re old, outdated and malfunctioning, these devices may cause electrical fires. Also, extinguish any candles, turn off your stove and oven and check that your smoke alarms work well.
Floods
To prevent flooding while you’re on your trip, turn off the main water supply valve. Then, drain your pipes by running the taps until they’re empty.
pro tip
- If your vacation is long (like a three-month summer vacation), consider hiring a pest control company to treat your home before leaving.
Do you live in an area prone to freezing temperatures? Set your thermostat to maintain a temperature of at least 55°F to keep your pipes from freezing and bursting.
Pests
Nothing ruins a good time like coming home to a pest infestation. A day before you head out, clear your fridge, wash the dishes and take out the trash. This will keep bugs and rodents at bay while you’re gone.
5. Check your protection policies
We get it — double-checking your home insurance policy isn’t as exciting as planning your vacation itinerary. But it’s essential for protecting your home while you’re away. Look at your coverage limits for things like theft, vandalism and natural disasters. If something seems off, call your insurance agent. They can help you make necessary policy adjustments before you take off.
Also, review your home warranty policy if you have one. See if it covers issues that could happen while you’re gone, like a broken air conditioner or a leaking dishwasher. Knowing what’s covered and how to file a claim can save you a ton of stress (and money) if something goes wrong.
Bottom line
A little preparation goes a long way in protecting your home from thieves when you’re away. Remember to beef up your home security as you pack your bags and finalize your travel plans. By installing a robust security system, setting timed lights, and putting mail on hold, you can fully enjoy your trip, knowing your home is safe.
