How to Keep Your Home Safe While You're on Vacation

Don’t broadcast your plans

While you may be excited about your upcoming vacation, it’s important to resist the urge to tell the world. The less people that know you will be away, the safer your home will be in your absence. Refrain from discussing the trip with anyone you don’t fully trust, posting information on the internet and social media, or talking in earshot of strangers in public. This will prevent the news of your getaway from reaching the wrong individuals.

Make sure everything is securely locked

One of the most crucial safety measures to take when leaving your home for an extended period is ensuring every door and window is securely locked and bolted. Check and double check every possible entrance into your home and make sure any spare keys are not left outside in hiding places. About half of all burglars use a key to gain access to your home, and they are aware of every common spot to conceal an extra key.

Temporarily stop mail/newspaper delivery

If you will be away longer than several days, you can contact the post office to temporarily put a hold on your mail until you return. This will prevent your mailbox from overflowing with excess bills, circulars, and letters—a clear and obvious sign that your home is vacant. The service is free and can be done for up to 30 days—you can often easily submit your request online on the USPS website. You can also do the same for any newspaper deliveries you receive to prevent a clutter of unread papers accumulating on your lawn.

Tell a trusted neighbor

If you have a helpful neighbor nearby whom you trust with looking after your home, he or she can keep an eye on things while you are away. He or she can collect your mail, move your garbage cans to the curb and back on garage day, collect any flyers or takeout menus that accumulate, and just look out for any suspicious activity. If your town has a neighborhood watch group, you may also want to let them know about your home’s temporary vacancy.

Set timers

A dark, quiet home is a sure giveaway that it is empty. Set both interior and exterior lights on timers to illuminate your home in the early evening hours. You can also set your television on a timer to come on periodically during the day.

TIP: If your blinds are often open while you are home, closing them completely can be suspicious. Leave blinds partially open to make it difficult to see inside but to also avoid unwanted attention.

Keep your lawn groomed

If you will be away for a significant period, your landscaping may become overgrown and unsightly. If possible, hire a service before your departure to come and mow your lawn, trim overgrowth, and keep your home looking tidy and maintained.

Hire a house sitter

One of the best ways to ensure security is to have someone temporarily reside in your home while you are gone. If you have a close friend or relative with a little extra free time, they can look after your home, water your plants, feed your pets and deter potential burglars. If you can’t find an available loved one, you can also hire someone to perform the service. Make sure to find someone through an agency, and always check references and ask for a background check. A hired house sitter should also be willing to sign a written agreement in case of any damage or property loss.

Install a security system

If your home is not already equipped with a security system, it may be a good time to invest in one. If an intruder enters your home, an alarm sounds and the police are called. Since alarm systems can be expensive, you can also opt to simply set up an alarm without paying for the monitoring. This way, the loud ringing will still sound if a burglar breaks in, which will likely be sufficient enough to scare him off.

TIP: You can also just purchase the decals declaring your home is protected by a security system--it will probably discourage burglars just the same.