Securing your home when you travel

This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Local codes, regulations, and best practices vary by region.

An empty house is an obvious opportunity for burglars. No cars in the driveway, dark windows at night, mail accumulating, packages on the porch—these are clear signals that no one’s home. Extended travel (a week or longer) requires specific steps to avoid advertising an unoccupied house. Basic precautions reduce the risk significantly.

The goal is making your home appear occupied while you’re away. Most break-ins are opportunistic. Making your house look inconvenient deters criminals to easier targets.

Before You Leave

Stop mail delivery or ask a neighbor to collect it. A full mailbox is the most obvious sign that no one’s home.

Package delivery should be paused or redirected. If packages accumulate on your porch, it signals no one’s collecting them. Have packages held for pickup or delivered to an alternate address.

Ask a trusted neighbor to check on your house occasionally, park in your driveway if possible, and bring in trash cans. Having a car in the driveway gives the impression someone’s home.

Turn off your water main if you’re gone for more than a month. This prevents pipe breaks from freezing in winter, which are expensive disasters.

Set lights on timers. Lights on in the evening and off at night simulate occupancy. Random patterns (timers that turn lights on and off randomly, not on a strict schedule) are better than predictable patterns.

Leave a radio or TV on a timer. Audio from the house suggests occupancy.

Lock all doors and windows. Even the ones you never use. Lock sliding glass door bars, secure basement windows.

Tell trusted friends you’re traveling. If something happens (burst pipe, break-in discovered), someone knows to check on your property.

Don’t advertise your absence on social media until you return. Telling the world you’re away is an open invitation.

During Travel

Smart security systems can be monitored remotely. Cameras let you check your home. Alarms alert you to entry. These provide some assurance but don’t prevent break-ins.

Door lock with remote unlock capability lets you grant access to a pet sitter or emergency responder without leaving a key under a mat.

Check in occasionally (not constantly, which gets tedious). If something looks wrong, you can respond faster.

Extended Travel

For trips longer than a week, the effort of home preparation increases. Asking a friend to actually visit a few times is better than passive measures. Someone walking around, opening windows for air, parking in the driveway, and looking occupied is your best deterrent.

Notify your insurance company if you’re gone for extended periods. Some policies have restrictions on unoccupied homes.

Consider a house-sitter or professional home-sitting service. This costs $30 to $100 daily but provides actual occupation and care.

Backup Utilities

Leave an emergency key with a trusted friend, not hidden on your property. “Hidden” key spots are the first place burglars look.

Leave instructions for shutting off water or gas if there’s an emergency. A burst pipe or gas leak could cause serious damage while you’re away.

Reality Check

Most security measures for traveling are basic common sense. You don’t need expensive systems or elaborate precautions for a week away. The simpler goal is avoiding the obvious signals of absence.

If you travel frequently, a professional security system with remote monitoring and cameras provides genuine assurance. For occasional trips, lights, mail hold, and neighbor watch cover most risks.

© The Whole Home Guide