How to Secure Your Home While You’re on Vacation

Nothing beats a much-needed holiday after a stressful few months of work. Did you know that 84% of UK workers take a holiday each year, with the majority taking at least a week-long break? This is part of having a balanced work life, but many people fail to adequately prepare for their time off by securing their homes.

According to Stronghold Security Doors, burglaries in the UK happen at an astounding rate of 498 per day, on average. Burglars strategically plan their crimes around the victim’s holidays, making it extremely important to prepare your home ahead of time. In this guide, we’ll explore the many ways of protecting your residence from unwanted guests. You deserve absolute peace of mind during your holiday, and with our helpful tips and tricks, you’ll leave feeling secure and proud of your decision to take your safety seriously!

Security Systems

Do you have a security system currently installed on your premises? If not, you might be leaving your property vulnerable to intruders. In the simplest terms, a home security system is designed to monitor your property by using a series of sensors and computer components. This includes motion sensors, alarms, and even devices that will contact local authorities in the event of a break-in. We recommend that all homeowners install robust security systems to thwart would-be intruders. This will help you feel sure in your decision to leave your home unattended.

Smart Security Systems

Modern-day home security systems now come with a range of high-tech security solutions. This includes security cameras and sensors that connect directly with your phone using Wi-Fi! These sensors can be used to alert you when a door has been opened, or if any entry point has been breached. When it comes to home security, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, meaning that you must take into account the specifications of your property to find the best way to protect it. Local locksmith companies can provide comprehensive security checks to assist with this.

Outdoor Lighting

We want you to make it as difficult as possible for burglars to carry out their plans on your property. This means removing the cover of darkness on your property. Burglars who strike at night look for ways to enter a residence unnoticed, which often includes hiding in dark spots. Properly placed security lights can remove the cover of darkness, preventing individuals from easily entering.

But, how should you position these lights? For starters, the main entry points to your home should be adequately lit, either by normal entry lights or newly installed ones. This prevents burglars from hanging around your entrances for too long. We also don’t recommend that you place lights in a manner that will disturb your neighbours or encroach on their property. Don’t position them in a way where light will enter your neighbour’s windows, if possible.

When it comes to the type of lights, we recommend using smart bulbs instead of traditional lights. These bulbs are cheap and can be controlled on timers or through apps. This saves energy and keeps your neighbours from having to deal with constant lighting. Having these lights will curb the chances of your property getting burgled overnight.

Security Cameras

Having lights is a great start to secure your home, but they should be paired with security cameras as well. Lights only startle or dissuade burglars, but cameras will let you see exactly what is happening at your home. Smart Camera phone apps can help give you real-time alerts when someone opens a door at your home, allowing you to call the police from anywhere as needed. In the event of a burglary, these security cameras can be extremely helpful in identifying suspects, strengthening your chances of receiving justice and/or compensation for the crime.

Video Doorbells

Video doorbells are a newer invention that has been greatly helping homeowners with home security. These devices can be installed in place of a traditional doorbell, adding a camera to show you who is at your doorstep. Many models also include a two-way audio system, allowing you to communicate directly with individuals. This can give potential intruders the impression that you’re home, even if you’re out of the country. Even if the audio isn’t used, the doorbell works as a security camera and stores footage in the event of an emergency.

Home Security Sensors

Sensors are another core piece of any good home security system. Electronic sensors are critical to effectively monitoring your home. There are a variety of sensors that can be used to accomplish different things, and they tend to be cheaper than security cameras. Several commonly-used sensors include:

• Door sensors: these devices use magnetic circuits to alert you when a door has been opened.
• Window sensors: window sensors let you know when the seal on a window has been broken or damaged.
• Glass break sensors: Glass-break sensors come in two varieties. One detects frequencies, the other detects shock waves. Either one will tell you when someone has broken a window at your house.
• Yard Signs and Stickers: If you’ve invested in a security system, it’s wise to let potential intruders know about it. Most security companies offer yard stickers or signs to be placed in front yards. Stick these items in plain view to advertise that your home is well-equipped with security features.

Securing the Outside of Your Home

Now that we’ve covered the basics of setting up a home security system, let’s talk about how you can keep your home secure once you leave for a vacation.

1. Lock everything. This one might be obvious, but you should make sure that all doors, windows, and other entry points are locked and secured (including your garage door). Consider installing a smart lock on your front door for added protection and surveillance. This allows you to keep a virtual “eye” on your main entrance.
2. Remove any spare keys from around the exterior of the house. Many people will keep a spare key under a mat, in a fake rock, or underneath an item on a surface near the front door. Unfortunately, this is known by burglars, and intruders will frequently find spare keys left by homeowners. We recommend that you take the time to remove these keys from the area before leaving for vacation. If you have trusted neighbours or friends taking care of your house, give them spare keys instead. This will give you more control over who can enter your home.
3. Suspend mail and newspaper delivery. One way that burglars can spot easy targets is a build-up of newspapers and other advertisements. This signals that the home is likely vacant and available for easy robbery. Have someone you trust come and collect mail at least once a week, or try to contact the post office to try and curb the amount of mail that gets delivered.
4. Leave a car in the driveway. If possible, leaving a car in the driveway will thwart burglars by making it appear that you are home. If this can’t be done, you can also ask a neighbour to park one of theirs in your drive until you return.
5. Hire someone to tend your yard. For travellers who are leaving for multiple weeks, it can be a good idea to hire a service or individual to tend to your grass (or clear snow from your sidewalk). This prevents the yard from looking unkempt, often signalling to burglars that you are out of town.

Securing the Inside of Your Home

Taking precautions to secure the exterior of your house is wise, but there are things you can do to protect the interior of your house as well, including:

1. Use lights effectively. Just as outdoor lights can signal your presence, indoor lights can make it seem like you’re home. We don’t suggest that you leave all your lights on once you leave. This can be obvious to burglars, and can also needlessly raise your electric bill. Instead, we recommend that you leave one or two lights on in common places, such as your living room or kitchen. This will give the illusion that someone is home. Another handy tactic is using smart lights which can be set on timers controlled by your phone. This can be scheduled to turn on and off during regular hours.
2. Deploy your electronics. Other devices, such as Bluetooth speakers and televisions, can be used to simulate your presence. Having audio on in your house can add an extra level of security by making it seem like your home is occupied. Smart plugs can be purchased and installed as well, giving you the option to schedule when they are turned on and off.
3. Keep valuables out of sight. This might also be obvious, but keep your valuable items stowed away in a secure place! Valuable possessions, such as jewellery and expensive antiques, should be placed far out of reach, along with laptops, tablets, spare phones, and loose money. A lockbox or safe can be particularly handy for these things.
4. Consider your curtains. If you have retractable curtains or blinds, consider closing them to prevent outsiders from looking into your home. However, you may want to think about what message you’re sending by doing so. If an intruder sees your blinds closed all day long, this might indicate that you’re gone. While certain devices, such as motorized blinds, can solve this issue, try strategically closing blinds in a way that hides key areas in your house.
5. Rely on your friends. It never hurts to ask for help! Getting a friend to come over and visit your home regularly can give the impression that your home isn’t vacant 24/7.
6. Hire a house sitter. This can be an effective option for those who need a little extra peace of mind. Hiring a trusted person or service to house sit for you can provide an additional layer of security.

Digitally Secure Your Home

These steps can greatly reduce your chances of getting burgled, but they can also be quickly undone by a single digital mistake. Your virtual activity can play into your home’s safety when you take a vacation. Take these tips into account:

1. Don’t broadcast your trip. If you regularly post on social media accounts which are able to be publicly viewed, refrain from making your location known. Anyone will be able to see that you aren’t home, opening up the possibilities for criminals. We recommend that you simply wait until you return home to post pictures and videos with location information.
2. Hide your GPS. If you have any sort of external GPS device, such as a Garmin, make sure to hide this from plain sight. Creative burglars can take advantage of these devices to find out your location, enabling them to plan accordingly.
3. Set “away” messages. Out-of-office messages can be helpful in preventing a high volume of work emails or texts from cluttering your inbox while you’re away, but be mindful of the way these messages read. Try to craft a message that informs people of your absence without indicating that you’re away from home.
4. Stop online orders. Just like how we recommended that you stop mail from reaching your door, it is also a good idea to stop packages from being delivered. You can put a hold on items arriving from Amazon, or even provide instructions for drivers to place packages out of sight.

Before You Go

Before you set off into the sunset, consider these final tips to keep your home nice and secure:

1. Make sure your security system is ready. It is a good idea to double-check your security system. If you’ve invested in a robust system, it’s worth taking a few extra minutes to test your security lights, cameras, sensors, and any other pieces of gear. Any components that run on batteries should be checked as well, ensuring that they have sufficient charge.
2. Check your homeowner’s insurance policy. This is a wise thing to do even if you aren’t leaving for vacation. Certain factors can prevent you from getting full coverage during an emergency. Check with your insurance provider to see what is covered and what isn’t, allowing you to make security decisions accordingly.
3. Contact your security company. Just like contacting your bank to prevent identity fraud, check in with your security company before travelling to alert them of your absence. This provides better response times when alerts go off.
4. Tell your neighbors. Talk to a trusted neighbour regarding your vacation plans to let someone know of your absence. This can be helpful as it gives you another set of eyes on your property when you leave.

Don’t Have A Security System? Set One Up Before You Leave

If you don’t have a security system set up, we strongly advise you to consider installing one before taking an extended vacation. They can be relatively easy to set up, and certain solutions can provide great coverage without breaking the bank. Working with a security specialist, like one of our locksmiths, will give you complete confidence that any locks installed in your home meet the standards required. While installing locks and other security add-ons, such as security systems, looks easy, there is a reason why locksmiths are one of the most in-demand trades in the UK!

If you ever feel uncertain about the installation or management process of any home security systems, call a locksmith. They can carry out a full review of your properties security setup, make valuable recommendations on where you need to improve, and carry out the installation process on your behalf. Not only does this save you time before you go on vacation, but you can now rest a little easier, cocktail or beer in hand, knowing your home has been secured with the help of a professional home security expert!

Have any questions about your security measures? Reach out to us at [LOCATION] Lock & Key. We can provide a comprehensive security assessment and help you install security systems. All of our services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week!