How to Protect Your Home While You’re On Vacation

Whether you’re going away for a few days or spending the summer on a Euro trip, you need to take measures to protect your property. Burglars have ways of determining when residents are out of town, and that’s when they’re most likely to strike.

Think about it: thieves are opportunists, so they’re going to choose the least risky path to success. Robbing a home is easier when you’re not expecting anyone to drop in unannounced, and especially if they can see you aren't utilizing modern home security systems.

It’s not just criminals you need to worry about when you’re far from home; it’s also other unavoidable risks. You need to protect your home and belongings from natural disasters, fires, flooding, and extreme weather.

In this article, you’ll read about ways to prepare your home before you head out of town for any length of time. We’ll also share some tips on how to choose a security system to add additional layers of support, such as professional monitoring, security cameras, or even a home alarm system.

1. Avoid Obvious Signs You’re Gone

Any half-decent burglar is going to start location scouting by identifying homes that might currently be unoccupied. They’ll look for signs of your absence, like all the lights being off or no noises for days at a time. To make it less obvious that you’re gone, have a neighbor pick up your mail and packages while you’re away. Make sure they bring in your trash bins and collect your newspapers, and keep your home looking lived in.

2. Smart Lighting is Key

You already know that leaving all the lights off makes it pretty obvious that no one’s been around for a while. But leaving all the lights on can be just as obvious to any robber with a trained eye and a little experience. Ideally, your lights should switch on and off, to make it look like someone’s home, and flicking the switch. You can use smart lighting and home automation to turn lights on and off automatically, or, if you want, operate them remotely.

3. Smart Locks for Trusted Neighbors

For the most realistic performance of “someone’s actually in the house,” why not let real humans in every so often? Giving trusted friends and neighbors access to your smart lock makes your home look busy, because it truly is. With smart locks, they can enter to check on your plants, heating system, or whatever else you need. They can also check inside in case of a real or imagined emergency, like you’re worried you left the stove on.

4. Cameras with Alerts

Doorbells and outdoor cameras are useful for notifying you when someone’s at the door or a package arrives. However, they’re even more important as a tool for letting you know if someone is snooping where they shouldn’t be. With modern smart home cameras, you can get a live feed of your security footage even from the beach or on the chairlift. Meanwhile, audible alarms can act as a loud, obnoxious deterrent to would-be thieves.

5. Visible Security (Like a Doorbell Cam)

A doorbell camera serves essentially the same function as any other camera with alerts, with one added benefit. Doorbell cameras are super recognizable and instantly identifiable when you walk up to a home. Any visible sign of security sends a clear message to thieves: “I’m watching you try to get in.” When burglars see them, there’s a good chance they’ll immediately start looking for a less intimidating house to break into.

6. Smart Thermostat for Comfort & Efficiency

A smart thermostat (probably) won’t protect you against thieves unless they’re the type to get sweaty or chilly very easily. What it will do is keep your home safe from extreme weather, while saving you money on your heating and cooling bills. Your smart thermostat can be adjusted remotely if there’s a sudden cold snap or heat wave. It’ll protect your home against frozen or burst pipes and may help slow the spread of fires.

7. Arm Your Alarm System

It goes without saying that you need to make sure your alarm is set before you set off on your trip. However, like that stove you can’t remember, there’s always that nagging doubt that you might’ve forgotten to do it before you left. Double-check as you head out the door that your home alarm system is properly armed and ready. Just to be safe, make sure a trusted neighbor has the code and can drop by to check on it shortly after you leave.

8. Don’t Forget the Yard Sign

As mentioned before, any sign that your home is being monitored is an excellent deterrent against thieves. However, it’s not always possible to ensure that thieves will see your cameras, smart locks, and other security features. To make it extra clear to burglars that your home isn’t to be messed with, place one of those little security signs in front. Even if you don’t have an alarm, thieves won’t stick around to find out the truth.

Peace of Mind, From Anywhere

Going on vacation is supposed to be the opposite of stressful, but when you’re worried about your home, doubt can still creep in. That’s why it pays to use professional installation when installing a trustworthy security system; it keeps your home protected and you (or neighbors) in the know.

That said, there are a lot of new technologies on the market, and finding the right tools and providers can feel overwhelming. It’s easy to go overboard on cool-sounding smart devices while overlooking important security measures.

If you’re not sure where to start, Smart Security Concierge can help you choose the security system that’s right for you. Just tell us a little bit about your property and let us recommend the right home security system and features to meet your needs. Start your assessment now to find the perfect match.