What to Do Before Leaving Your House for Vacation
It’s here! That long-awaited vacation couldn’t come soon enough. But before packing and organizing everything for your trip, don’t forget that you need to protect your home while you’re away. According to the latest FBI numbers, there were 839,563 burglary reports filed in 2023, with most of these crimes happening during the summer months when owners weren’t home.
Have no fear—our 10 vacation safety tips for your home are right here. Read on to learn how to keep your home safe while on vacation!
How To Keep Your House Safe When Traveling: 10 Vacation Home Safety Tips
You don’t want your home to be a target for burglary or vandalism. Here’s how you can protect your home while you’re away and secure your house during travel.
1. Tell Trusted Neighbors or Friends.
One of the best ways to protect your home when on vacation is to ask a neighbor to watch the house. A trusted neighbor or friend can keep an eye on everything and let you know when something is amiss. Potential burglars are also more likely to stay away if they see that someone is coming around.
2. Use Smart Home Technology.
Smart technology can keep you connected to your home from anywhere in the world. If you’re thinking about upgrading your home, here are a few of the best smart home devices for vacation security:
- Smart doorbell: A smart doorbell monitors your front door and will ping you when it senses motion. You can also use it to speak to someone at your door in real time.
- Smart lighting: You can install indoor and outdoor smart lighting to keep your home lit while you’re away. Some options use light timers for vacation or sensors that activate based on how dark it is.
- Smart sprinkler system: Smart sprinklers and irrigation systems automate outdoor watering with timers or technology that senses soil moisture. This can prevent flooding and keep landscaping looking good.
- Smart thermostat: During the winter months, a smart thermostat can regulate the temperature in your home, so you’re less likely to come home to frozen pipes and other plumbing damage.
3. Secure All Doors and Windows.
Before your trip, check that all your doors and windows are completely closed and locked. The easiest way to get into trouble? Leave a window cracked open or a door unlocked. Even though it may seem unlikely that anyone would notice, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you have outdoor gates or a doggie door, make sure they’re secured, too.
4. Stop Mail and Newspaper Deliveries.
A pile of newspapers by your front door or a bundle of mail bursting from your mailbox are obvious signs that you’re out of town. To avoid this and practice good vacation home safety, pause your mail or newspaper deliveries. It’s super simple: Visit the post office online or call your local post office. And reach out to the newspaper’s customer service department.
If you live in a homeowners’ association (HOA), coordinate with your community manager to have deliveries sent to the front office while you’re on vacation.
5. Create the Illusion of Occupancy.
Don’t let your home appear empty during an extended vacation. Making it look like people are still inside your home can deter burglars and help you avoid break-ins while on vacation. Here’s how to make your home look lived-in while on vacation:
- Install smart technology to automate home lighting
- Use timers or remote technology to turn on TVs or music
- Ask a friend or neighbor to regularly enter and leave the home or move your vehicles
- Stage an activity, such as leaving a vacuum cleaner out, wine glasses on your table, or a half-opened book on the arm of a chair
6. Don’t Share Your Travel Plans on Social Media.
Many people make the mistake of posting about their trip on social media, letting everyone and the world know their home is empty. It’s okay to be excited about your vacation and want to share highlights, but steer clear of social media until you’re back.
Instead, only share your travel plans with close family and friends. You can let them know where you are and what you’re doing without making that info public and putting your home at risk.
7. Install a Security System or Cameras.
If you’re wondering how to secure your home before going on vacation, one of the greatest things you can do is install cameras or a security system. In fact, homes that don’t have a security system are 300% more likely to be burglarized!
One study found that 83% of intruders said they looked for a security system before attempting burglary, with 60% saying they would find another target if they saw an alarm system in place. With that in mind, even a decoy system can have some value in preventing break-ins.
8. Keep Valuables Out of Sight.
Another home security tip for vacation? Hide all your valuables. Burglars are more likely to target your home when money, expensive jewelry, art, and devices are out in the open. Store your valuables in a safe and try to hide larger items in locked closets or a storage unit.
9. Unplug Non-Essential Electronics.
If you’re planning to be gone for a while, think about unplugging electronics throughout the house that won’t be used during your trip. Not only does this help you save on energy costs, but it can also prevent power surge issues during a storm that could lead to device damage and electrical fires in your home.
Is a Storm Brewing? Learn What Else You Can Do to Prepare and Stay Safe!
10. Save Security Contact Info in Your Phone for Peace of Mind.
If you have a home security system, save the company’s contact information on your phone. Whether you’re at a faraway beach or traveling internationally, the internet connection can be spotty.
Saving phone numbers in your contacts list ensures you can get a hold of important people when you need them. Other essential contacts to have saved include:
- Your home insurance company
- Your neighbors around your home
- If you live in an HOA, your community manager or board members
Beyond Vacation Home Safety: 4 of the Best Road Trip Planning Tips
These vacation safety tips for your home can help protect your home while you’re away, prevent break-ins, and give you peace of mind. When you follow this vacation security checklist, you can enjoy time with your friends and family and make the most of your vacation.
If you’re hitting the road to get to your destination, check out “4 of the Best Road Trip Planning Tips” to help you save money and stretch your budget!