Heading out on a well-deserved vacation can be an exciting time, but it often comes with the nagging worry of leaving your home unattended. Ensuring your home remains secure while you’re away can bring peace of mind, allowing you to fully enjoy your getaway. In this blog post, we’ll explore ten effective ways to keep your home safe while on vacation. From simple measures like securing doors and windows to utilizing advanced technology like smart home systems, these tips will help safeguard your property and belongings until you return.
10 Ways to Keep Your Home Safe While on Vacation
Secure All Entry Points
Ensuring that all entry points are securely locked is a crucial step in protecting your home. Begin by inspecting all doors, windows, and garage doors to confirm they are properly closed and locked. Upgrading to deadbolts on exterior doors can provide an additional layer of security. Sliding doors are often vulnerable, so reinforce them with a metal rod or dowel to prevent forced entry. Don’t overlook less obvious entry points like basement windows and side doors; these should also be fortified. Investing in quality locks and reinforcing weak spots can significantly deter potential intruders.
Install a Home Security System
A home security system serves as a strong deterrent against break-ins. Modern systems often feature CCTV monitoring, motion detectors, and smart alarms that can be monitored via your smartphone. Some advanced systems also include door and window sensors that alert you to any unauthorized access.
The presence of visible security cameras can discourage intruders from targeting your home, while monitored alarms can alert authorities in real-time. Additionally, some security systems offer home automation features, allowing you to control lights, locks, and other devices remotely. Choose a system that aligns with your specific needs and budget to enhance your home’s security while you’re away.
Use Smart Lighting
Burglars often look for signs that a home is unoccupied, such as consistent darkness at night. Smart lighting can be an effective solution to create the illusion of activity in your home. With smart bulbs and plugs, you can set up schedules for your lights to turn on and off at various times throughout the day and night.
This randomness mimics normal human activity, making it harder for potential intruders to determine if the house is empty. For added effectiveness, vary the lights in different rooms and adjust the timing periodically. This small investment can significantly boost your home’s security by making it appear that someone is always present.
Notify a Trusted Neighbor
Enlisting the help of a trusted neighbor is a valuable strategy to keep your home safe while on vacation. A reliable neighbor can perform periodic checks on your property, bringing in any mail or packages that might otherwise signal your absence. Inform them of your travel dates and provide them with a key in case they need to enter your home for any reason. Make sure they have your contact information so they can reach you if any issues arise.
Additionally, consider asking them to park their car in your driveway occasionally to give the impression that someone is home. A trusted neighbor can also be alert to any unusual activity around your property and notify you or the authorities promptly if they notice anything suspicious. This level of vigilance can significantly enhance the security of your home while you’re away.
Hold Your Mail and Packages
One of the telltale signs that a home is unoccupied is a pile-up of mail and packages at the front door. To avoid this, consider placing a hold on your mail and packages while you’re on vacation. The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers a convenient hold mail service that can be requested online. Simply specify the dates you’ll be away, and your mail will be securely held at your local post office until you return.
For packages, many delivery services like UPS and FedEx also offer similar hold options. You can either request a hold online or ask a neighbor to collect them for you. If you frequently receive deliveries from online retailers, consider utilizing Amazon’s “Amazon Locker” service, which allows your packages to be delivered to a secure location for pickup at your convenience. Taking these steps will ensure that your absence is not obvious to passersby, reducing the risk of potential break-ins.
Maintain Your Yard
An unkempt yard can signal to potential intruders that no one is home, making it crucial to maintain your yard before you leave. Mow the lawn, trim the hedges, and clear away any debris to create the appearance of regular upkeep. If your trip will extend for a week or more, consider hiring a lawn care service or asking a neighbor to handle these tasks for you. Additionally, ensure that any tools, ladders, or equipment are securely stored away, as these items can be used by burglars to gain entry. If you have outdoor lighting, check that all bulbs are functioning and consider installing motion-activated lights to deter any unwanted visitors.
For those with automatic sprinkler systems, set the timers to maintain a normal watering schedule, keeping your plants and grass healthy during your absence. Lastly, if you have a driveway, ask a neighbor to occasionally park their car there to give the illusion that someone is home. By keeping your yard well-maintained, you not only enhance the overall security of your home but also help create the impression that daily routines are still being followed, deterring potential intruders.
Avoid Social Media Announcements
Sharing your vacation plans on social media may seem harmless, but it can inadvertently tip off potential intruders that your home is empty. Burglars often monitor social media for such information, making it easier for them to target homes. Even if your accounts are private, be cautious about sharing specific details like your travel dates and destination. Instead, consider posting about your trip after you return home. This way, you can still share your experiences and photos without compromising your home’s security.
Additionally, remind family members, especially teens, to avoid posting real-time updates or check-ins that reveal your absence. Review your social media privacy settings to ensure that only trusted friends and family can see your posts. Limit the audience for vacation-related content and be mindful of location tags, which can disclose your whereabouts. Taking these precautions can help ensure that your home remains secure while you enjoy your time away.
Unplug Non-Essential Electronics
Unplugging non-essential electronics before you go on vacation can offer multiple benefits. Firstly, it reduces the risk of electrical fires, which can be caused by power surges or faulty wiring. Secondly, it can help you save on energy costs by eliminating the phantom load—electricity consumed by devices even when they’re turned off. Items like coffee makers, toasters, chargers, and entertainment systems can all be safely unplugged during your absence.
Consider using surge protectors to safeguard against unexpected power surges for electronics that need to remain plugged in. Additionally, unplugging these devices can provide an extra layer of security by ensuring that no appliances are inadvertently left running, which could otherwise alert potential intruders to an unoccupied home. This simple yet effective step can contribute significantly to your home’s overall safety and security while you’re away.
Use Timers for Appliances
Using timers for appliances is another effective way to keep your home safe while on vacation. Timers can be set to turn on and off various appliances like radios, televisions, or even some lights, creating the illusion that someone is home. This technique can be particularly useful during evening hours when you would normally be using these devices. Choose timers that offer randomized settings to avoid creating a predictable pattern that intruders could recognize.
For added security, consider integrating your appliance timers with a smart home system, which can allow for more flexible control and adjustments even while you are away. This can also give you the ability to manage and monitor your appliances remotely through your smartphone. Additionally, using timers can help prevent potential electrical issues by ensuring that appliances are not left running unnecessarily. This small step can significantly contribute to the overall security of your home during your absence.
Double-Check Before Leaving
Before you head out for your vacation, take some time to conduct a final walk through of your home. This double-check can help you catch anything you might have missed and ensure all precautions are firmly in place. Verify that all doors and windows are locked and that your security system is armed. Ensure that smart lighting schedules are set correctly and that appliance timers are in place. Take a moment to confirm that all non-essential electronics are unplugged to prevent potential electrical hazards or energy waste.
It’s also a good idea to make sure that all interior and exterior lights that should be on are functioning properly. Check that your yard is well-maintained, and any items that could indicate you’re away, such as ladders or tools, are securely stored. Ensure that your mail and package deliveries have been paused or rerouted. Finally, leave a set of keys and your contact information with a trusted neighbor or friend who can keep an eye on your property. This double-check will give you the reassurance that you’ve taken every possible measure to keep your home safe while on vacation.
