How To Protect Your Home While on Vacation (2025)

Vacations are for relaxation, but many homeowners worry about home security while they’re away. Break-ins occur every 26 seconds in the U.S., so it’s natural to feel concerned. Before leaving, implement these effective strategies to protect your property, letting you truly unwind and enjoy your time away.

Why Secure Your Home Before Vacation?

Empty homes are prime targets for burglars, who often case neighborhoods for signs of inactivity. The lack of daily routines becomes more apparent when homeowners are on vacation, increasing the risk of break-ins.

However, burglaries aren’t the only concern. Weather-related damage and electrical fires also pose threats to an unattended home. Pre-trip preventive measures deter potential intruders and reduce the risk of damage from unforeseen events.

11 Ways To Protect Your Home While on Vacation

Consider these strategies to effectively reduce the risk of break-ins and mitigate potential damage while you’re away:

1. Install a Security System

According to ADT, a home without a security system is three times more likely to experience a break-in. Modern security systems offer far more than just basic alarms. Today’s systems include a range of sophisticated tools and features:

Low-cost indoor and outdoor cameras: These provide constant surveillance of vulnerable areas.
Motion-sensing lights: These lights illuminate areas when movement is detected, serving as a deterrent.
Voice technology to warn intruders: This feature can verbally notify trespassers that they’re being recorded.
Smart locks for keyless entry: These locks provide secure access without needing physical keys.

2. Use Lights With Timers or Smart Lighting

A consistently dark house is a telltale sign of an absent owner. Timed or smart lighting can create the illusion of occupancy and deter potential burglars:

Adjust timing and frequency: Change light schedules to mimic your normal usage patterns.
Remote control: Turn lights on or off from a smartphone, adding unpredictability.
Instant activation: Use lights to check on your property or respond to unexpected alerts.

The more varied the lighting patterns, the more convincing the appearance of an occupied home.

3. Keep a Car in the Driveway

An empty driveway can signal an unoccupied house and make it a target. Keep a car visible or have a neighbor use the driveway to create the impression of activity. Update or install a car security system for additional protection.

4. Use a Friend or a House Sitter

Enlist a trusted friend, neighbor, or professional house sitter. They can maintain the lived-in look of your home and ward off potential issues. Temporary access via smart locks is a practical option to facilitate visits without compromising security.

Key tasks they can handle include:

Checking the property for signs of suspicious activity
Taking care of plants, mail, and any necessary home-based chores
Preparing for potential storms by securing outdoor items
Addressing issues caused by unforeseen weather

5. Be Careful What You Announce on Social Media

Social media can inadvertently inform the wrong audience about your absence. To maintain privacy and security:

Review privacy settings and double-check who can see your information.
Avoid mentioning dates and specific plans until you return.
Post photos and updates after your trip to reduce the risk of alerting potential burglars.

6. Continue Home Service Provision

Maintain regular services such as house cleaning and landscaping to contribute to the impression of an occupied home. Signs of life, such as trimmed lawns and taken-out trash, help discourage potential intruders.

7. Unplug Devices

Electrical safety helps prevent fires, a common hazard in unoccupied homes. Unplug unnecessary devices. Only keep essential electronics (such as refrigerators) plugged in. Use surge protectors for electronics that must remain operational. These steps reduce fire risk and contribute to energy savings.

8. Hide Your Valuables

Secure high-value items before heading out. Maintain your privacy with window coverings, which prevent prying eyes from scoping out your possessions. Consider moving these items out of plain sight or into a safe:

Jewelry
Cash
Significant electronics
Financial or other important documents
Heirlooms

9. Stop Mail and Newspaper Deliveries

Accumulated mail and newspapers can signal an empty house to intruders. If you don’t have a house sitter to collect these items daily, you can suspend newspaper and magazine delivery or ask the post office to hold your mail.

10. Check the Weather

Stay informed about potential weather events during your vacation and prepare your home to withstand unexpected conditions:

Secure outdoor furniture and umbrellas: Lock them away or fasten them securely to prevent flying debris.
Clean gutters: This prevents clogging and potential damage from heavy rainfall.
Test the sump pump: Make sure it’s in working order to avoid basement flooding.

11. Lock Your Garage

Many homeowners underestimate the vulnerability of garages. A closed garage door isn’t necessarily secure. Take these extra steps:

Disable electric openers: This prevents remotes from functioning while you’re away.
Install a padlock: Secure the overhead door latch with a robust lock.
Reinforce the door track: Insert a bolt to create an additional barrier.

Before You Go

Take proactive steps with insurance, communicate with neighbors, and arm your security system to create a strong defense while you’re away.

Check Insurance Policy

Review your homeowner’s insurance policy before any trip. Call your provider to confirm that it covers property damage. This call also gives you an opportunity to increase your protection if necessary.

Tell Your Neighbors

Inform trusted neighbors about your vacation. They can help maintain the appearance of occupancy and enhance your home’s security. Community cooperation creates a safer neighborhood for everyone.