Here’s How to Keep Your Home Safe While Travelling

Vacations are a welcome break from the responsibilities of daily life. Leaving your home unattended for an extended period of time can leave your home susceptible to break-ins, water damage, weather damage, and more. So before embarking on your travels, it’s important to ensure that your home is secure both inside and out. Read on to learn about the home protection measures you can take to keep your abode safe while away.

Check All Entry Points

One of the most basic home safety measures you can take before you leave is to ensure all entry points are secure. Be sure to double check that you have secure locks on all of the following: 

• Windows on all levels, including the basement 

• Front, back, patio, and basement doors 

• Garage doors and windows 

• Sheds 

• Pool houses 

• Any other entry points

For extra home protection, place a piece of wood or metal on the track of sliding doors to prevent the doors from being pushed opened. It’s also important to remove spare keys from hiding spots as intruders are aware of homeowners leaving spare keys under rocks, mats, or above door jambs.

Security System

Installing a home security system adds another layer of protection while you are away. Be sure to notify your home alarm system company that you’ll be away so they can be a bit more watchful for suspicious or unusual activity.

Smart Security Cameras

Part of that system should include indoor and outdoor smart security cameras. Home security cameras with smart capabilities allow you to monitor your residence from wherever you are via mobile apps. These apps also send alerts if there is any unusual activity. Plus, cameras placed in visible areas can act as a deterrent and, if there is any criminal activity, these cameras ensure you have recorded evidence of what happened.

Smart Locks

You can also invest in smart locks to strengthen your home security. Smart locks allow you to verify that your doors are locked via mobile apps, and the digital key application eliminates the need for spare keys.

Put Your Lights on Timers

Setting timers on indoor and outdoor lighting helps give the appearance that someone is home. You can use analog timers, or invest in smart switches and outlets. These allow you to program your lights to turn on, off or dim at scheduled times. Some smart home systems include pre-programmed home security settings, like vacation mode, that turns on TVs or stereos at pre-set intervals to create the impression that you’re home.

Automate Your Window Treatments

As an extra home security precaution, you can leave drapes or blinds open on a few windows to give your empty home a more “lived-in” appearance. If you have powered drapes or blinds, these too can be incorporated into your smart home security system.

Avoid Social Media

It’s tempting to want to share information about your travels on social media, but doing so signals to a wide audience that your home is empty, which can undermine your home security measures. To keep your home safe, never disclose that you’re away from home or make sure your account is private.

Tell Trusted Neighbours or Friends

For additional peace of mind, ask a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your home so you don’t spend your entire vacation worried or on your phone. You can even ask friends or family members to drop by periodically to ensure all is well, to water plants or to collect mail (you can ask your local post office to hold mail too). If you’re away for a while, it’s also a good idea to schedule yard or lawn care to avoid an unkept, empty look.

Home Systems

Other home protection measures include backing up your home safety systems. Installing a back-up sump pump will help prevent flooding. When vacationing in the winter, be sure to set your thermostat high enough to avoid burst pipes. Smart home systems also come in handy here. For example, a smart thermostat can be pre-programed so that the heat turns on and off periodically.

Clean & Dispose

Be sure to clean your home before leaving. Throw out any leftovers, fruit in bowls, and make sure all garbage and recycling is cleared to prevent smells, bugs, and rodents. Wipe down counters and clean out your fridge to avoid spoilage. Double check that no laundry or dishes are left in washing machines and dishwashers.

Take Inventory

As an extra precaution, it’s also a good idea to make a list of valuables and take photographs. This creates a checklist to refer to on your return, and is also helpful to have for insurance claims in case of theft or damage. You may also want to consider keeping high-end valuables like jewelry in a safety deposit box.

Long Term Travel

For long term travel of a month or more, consider renting your home so that it does not appear empty. You have a few options: 

• Consider renting to a friend, colleague, or family member – this helps ensure you rent to someone you know and trust 

• Contact a realtor or place an ad online – this expands your reach, but the process can be time consuming and you may feel uncomfortable renting your home to a stranger 

• Have a friend or family member house sit for you 

• Work with a local agency to hire a professional house sitter

Pet Safety

Pet safety while your away is just as important as home safety and security. Dogs need structure and routine, so it’s best to leave your pooch with a sitter or at a kennel. Cats can be left to their own devices for the most part. Automatic feeders can help, but you may also want to ask a sitter or friend to check in on your feline and clean the litter box. For added safety, place a sign in the window to indicate there are pets in the home in case of an emergency. Smart home security cameras allow you to monitor pets and talk to them via two-way audio.

Prepping for a vacation comes with a hectic to-do list, but it’s important to ensure home safety and security is part of your plan. That way you can truly kick back and relax while you’re away. Take a look at our smart home options to learn more about how to keep your home secure while you’re away.