How Can I Keep My Home Safe While I’m Away?

For over 11 years, SafeWise experts have conducted independent research and testing to create unbiased, human reviews. Learn how we test and review.

pro

Why you can trust SafeWise  

250+ products considered
10k+ research hours  25+ in-home tests
176+ years of combined expert experience
10M homes and people protected

Whether you’re at the office, on an overnight business trip, or an extended tropical vacation, you want the peace of mind knowing that everything is safe back at home. You may even have a summer home you want to make sure is safe when you’re not there. No matter the situation, there are precautions you can take to keep your home safe while you’re away.

Protect your property
Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get the latest deals, home security tips, and in-depth reviews.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Put everything on lock-down

High-end DIY security system
Frontpoint
Frontpoint
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.25
Starts at$34.99/mo

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Lock all the doors and windows before you leave, including doors to the yard or attached garage. Make sure your windows to the garage are covered so people can’t peek in and see that your car is gone or discover what treasures you have stored in there. If you’re going away for an extended period of time and have an automatic garage door opener, disable it. Doing so will help keep thieves with a universal opener from getting in.

Lock your jewelry and other valuables in a home safe so it's out of sight and out of reach.

If you have a security system, make sure it is set every time you leave the house. Inform your alarm monitoring company about the days you will be gone during long stretches of time. If you don’t have a security system, it might be time to consider getting one. Check out our home security system guide for help.

A home security system can do more than alert you to attempted intrusions—it can also allow you to remotely check in on the house while you’re away and, with smart locks, you could even let a neighbor in to water plants or check on pets.

You also need to lock down social media during your trips. Vacation pics are just the confirmation the bad guys need to confirm that your home is empty and ripe for picking. Save your photos and share an album or slideshow with everyone once you return.

Use these tips to keep you safe while you're gone too: How to Stay Safe on Public Wi-Fi.

Leave the right impression

""

Don’t tip burglars off by letting mail or newspapers pile up. Either place a hold on delivery for the duration of your trip or ask a friend or neighbor to pick them up. Make plans for maintenance, like yardwork or snow removal, if you’ll be away for a long time.

Leave your blinds or curtains the way you usually keep them. If they’re normally open, it will be a sign that you’re gone if they’re suddenly shut tight. Set lights, radios, and televisions on timers to give the impression that people are coming and going.

Keep up the illusion that someone is home by inviting neighbors to use your driveway for extra cars or guests during the time you’re away on vacations. Another way to throw potential burglars off is by leaving the air conditioner on. A quiet compressor on a hot day is a sure sign no one’s home.

Ask for help

Arrange for a friend or neighbor to keep an eye on things when you’re out of town. If you can’t control lights remotely, ask someone you trust to turn different lights on and off to help deter criminals from thinking no one is in the house. Let your neighborhood watch group know you’ll be away and inform local law enforcement. Most police departments will conduct safety checks on the homes of vacationing citizens.

Protecting your home is always important, and there’s no reason to relax about security while you’re away. Employ these smart tactics and enjoy your time away from home with peace of mind.


Compare the best home security systems

Celeste Tholen
Written by
Celeste has dedicated her decade-long career to reporting and reviews that help people make well-informed decisions. She oversees editorial strategy and production for SafeWise, with a goal to help everyone find the information they need to make their homes and lives safer. Prior to SafeWise, she worked as an editor and reporter for KSL and Deseret News. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism. In her free time, she volunteers at the local botanical garden and writers for the community newspaper.

Recent Articles

Neighbourhood homes in the United Kingdom
The Best Home Alarm Systems in the UK in 2024
After testing 25+ of the best home alarm systems in the UK and evaluating over...
SW_Article_Medical Alerts with the Best Battery_Featured image with logo
Best Medical Alert Systems 2024
We researched the best medical alert systems to find reliable options that can empower you...
Man and woman couple wife husband set up surveillance security camera
Best Apartment Security Systems of 2024
In 2024, we tested the best apartment security systems and cameras. They offer security solutions...
woman adjusting thermostat in bright home
The Best Home Security Systems of 2024
After thousands of hours of tests and research, we picked Vivint and SimpliSafe as the...