Knowing how to keep your house secure while traveling is something every homeowner should think about before they leave. Vacant homes are targets. Burglars look for properties that show clear signs of being unoccupied, and an unprotected home gives them exactly the opportunity they are looking for. The anxiety of leaving your property unattended is valid, but it is also preventable.
The good news is that securing your home while you travel does not require expensive technology or complicated systems. It requires a combination of smart preparation, trusted people, and in some cases, professional security. This guide covers the most effective steps you can take before you leave and while you are away.
Prepare Your Home Before You Leave
The steps you take before your trip are just as important as any security measure you put in place while you are gone. A well-prepared home is a significantly harder target.
Stop mail and deliveries. A pile of mail or packages on your doorstep is one of the clearest signals that nobody is home. Contact your post office to hold your mail and pause any regular deliveries until you return.
Use timers on interior lights. Homes that are completely dark every night look unoccupied. Plug-in light timers create the impression that someone is moving through the house at normal hours. Place them in living areas and bedrooms for the most convincing effect.
Avoid announcing your trip on social media. Posting your travel plans online broadcasts your absence to a wider audience than you may realize. Save the photos and updates for when you return.
Secure all entry points. Check every door and window before you leave. Sliding doors should have a secondary lock or bar in the track. Garage doors should be locked from the inside if you are not taking a vehicle.
Unplug non-essential electronics. This reduces the risk of electrical fires while you are away and protects your devices from power surges.
Use Technology to Monitor Your Property
Smart home technology has made remote property monitoring more accessible than ever. These tools give you real-time visibility into what is happening at your home while you are miles away.
Install a video doorbell. A video doorbell lets you see and speak to anyone who approaches your front door from your phone. Many models record activity automatically and send alerts when motion is detected.
Set up indoor and outdoor cameras. Strategically placed cameras cover entry points, driveways, and backyard areas. Visible cameras deter opportunistic criminals and provide footage if an incident does occur.
Use a smart alarm system. Modern alarm systems connect to your phone and alert you immediately if a sensor is triggered. Many systems also connect directly to a monitoring center that can dispatch emergency services on your behalf.
Install smart locks. Smart locks allow you to monitor who enters and exits your home and lock or unlock doors remotely. They eliminate the risk of lost keys being used to gain unauthorized access.
Technology is a powerful layer of protection, but it works best when combined with other measures. Cameras and alarms detect and record incidents. They do not physically prevent them.
Enlist Trusted People in Your Network
One of the most effective ways to keep your home secure while traveling is to have someone you trust actively looking after the property.
Ask a neighbor, friend, or family member to check on your home regularly. A car parked in the driveway occasionally, lights being turned on and off, and someone collecting any unexpected deliveries all contribute to the appearance that the home is occupied and watched.
Give your trusted contact a way to reach you quickly and make sure they know what to do if they notice something unusual. Leave them the contact information for your local police non-emergency line and any security company you work with.
What Equipment Do You Need for Home Security
Essential Tools for Securing Your Home While Traveling
- A video doorbell with motion detection and mobile alerts
- Indoor and outdoor security cameras covering all entry points
- A smart alarm system connected to a professional monitoring center
- Smart locks on all exterior doors
- Motion-activated exterior lighting to deter nighttime activity
- A timer system for interior lights to simulate occupancy
Additional Measures for Extended Absences
- A lockbox for trusted contacts who may need access to the property
- Reinforced door frames and strike plates on all exterior doors
- Window and sliding door security bars for ground floor entry points
- A monitored security sign displayed visibly at the front of the property
When Professional Security Is the Right Answer
For homeowners leaving for an extended period, technology and trusted contacts may not be enough. A vacant home over several weeks or months presents a level of risk that cameras and smart locks cannot fully address on their own.
Professional security provides a level of protection that no app or device can replicate. A trained security officer physically present at or regularly patrolling your property creates a genuine deterrent and ensures that any developing situation is addressed immediately rather than flagged for review after the fact.
Hiring a security guard for your vacant home is particularly valuable for high-value properties, homes in areas with elevated crime rates, or any situation where the homeowner will be unreachable for extended periods. The presence of a professional on-site communicates clearly that the property is monitored and protected.
Owl Sight Security Services provides vacant property security solutions tailored to each homeowner’s specific needs. Whether your property requires regular patrol visits or a dedicated on-site presence, they build a coverage plan that aligns with your timeline, property, and level of risk.
What to Do If Something Happens While You Are Away
Even with strong preparation, incidents can occur. Knowing what to do in advance removes the panic from the situation and ensures a faster, more effective response.
Establish a clear chain of communication before you leave. Your trusted contact should know to call local law enforcement first and then reach you immediately. If you have a professional security provider watching your property, that provider should be the first call for anything short of an active emergency.
Avoid the temptation to return home immediately if you are notified of a potential break-in. Let law enforcement clear the property before you enter. Your security provider can coordinate that process and keep you informed throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most effective way to secure a home while traveling?
The most effective approach combines multiple layers of protection. Smart technology for monitoring, trusted contacts for regular check-ins, secured entry points, and professional security for extended absences together create a comprehensive level of protection that any single measure alone cannot match.
How long does a home need to be vacant before it becomes a target?
Opportunistic burglars often monitor neighborhoods for signs of vacancy. A home that looks unoccupied for even a few days can attract attention. Taking steps to simulate occupancy from the first day you are away significantly reduces that risk.
Is a security camera enough to protect a vacant home?
Cameras are a valuable deterrent and provide useful documentation after an incident. However, they do not physically prevent entry or respond to a developing situation.
When should I consider hiring a security guard for my vacant home?
Consider professional security for any absence longer than a few weeks, for high-value properties, or for homes in areas with elevated crime rates.
How does Owl Sight Security Services approach vacant home security?
Owl Sight Security Services evaluates each property individually before recommending a security plan. For vacant homes, they assess the layout, location, duration of vacancy, and risk factors to build a coverage plan that gives the homeowner genuine peace of mind while they are away.