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Whether you’re going on a vacation, taking a business trip, or just stepping out for an extended weekend getaway, one of the main concerns that often crosses our minds is the safety and security of our home. We all want to make sure our living spaces remain protected and secure from potential intruders while we’re away. Fortunately, there are a number of simple and effective measures you can take to ensure crime prevention at home and maintain peace of mind during your time away.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through easy, practical tips that not only safeguard your home from criminal activity but also help with maintaining its upkeep while you’re out. From basic home security practices to high-tech gadgets, these strategies will give you the assurance that your property is well-protected.

• Install a Smart Security System
• Utilize Timed Lighting Systems
• Secure All Windows and Doors
  • Smart Locks for Added Convenience
• Have a Trusted Neighbor or Friend Keep an Eye on Things
• Use Curtains and Blinds Wisely
• Avoid Posting Your Travel Plans Online
• Install Motion-Activated Outdoor Lighting
• Secure Your Garage
• Use a Safe for Valuables
• Set Up a Virtual House Sitter
• Take Care of Your Lawn
• Conclusion: Keep Your Home Safe, Secure, and Well-Maintained While You’re Away

Install a Smart Security System

One of the best ways to ensure your home’s safety when you’re not around is by investing in a reliable home security system with 24/7 monitoring. Smart security systems come equipped with a variety of features such as motion detectors, door/window sensors, and surveillance cameras that help monitor your property remotely. Many modern security systems can be linked directly to your smartphone, allowing you to receive real-time updates and alerts about any suspicious activity.

Some smart security systems offer features like:

• Cameras with live streaming: You can access video feeds to check on your home while you’re away. In addition to external cameras, cameras inside your home can alert you to unwanted persons who may have made entry undetected, serious water leaks, and fire.
• Remote arm/disarm options: You can arm or disarm your security system via an app.
• Motion sensors: These detect movement and can trigger alerts or alarms. Even when the home is occupied by its residents, it’s best to activate the motion sensors in areas of the home where residents will not attend. For example, if all residents are hanging out in the basement, the upper floor motion sensors can be activated as a second line of defense to detect intruders.
• Doorbell cameras: Allows you to see and communicate with anyone at your door, no matter where you are. They also keep an eye on delivered packages until someone you trust is able to collect them.

A smart security system is becoming a common tool to support crime prevention at home. Knowing that a home is actively monitored by a security system can make it less attractive to potential intruders.

Although a home security system may deter burglars from attempting to break in, there are reasons why it could be ineffective. Read about the limitations of a home security system in our article titled “Top 10 Tips to Deter Home Intruders.”

Most police agencies now require verification of an alarm activation prior to initiating a response due to an overwhelming number of false alarms. If the monitoring center is unable to verify the legitimacy of an alarm using audio, video, multiple zone activations, and/or a person on scene at the home, a police response will be contingent on a resident or one of their emergency contacts verifying the status of the alarm. To ensure that an alarm is verified at the earliest time, monitoring centers are offering an additional service whereby private security would attend the home for the purpose of verifying the alarm status. As an example, Telus has a guard response service.

Similar to how you can advise your financial institution(s) of your travel dates to avoid being locked out of your account(s), you can also notify your alarm company of upcoming absences from home. I’m not sure if this is my paranoia kicking in, but I was always afraid that someone at the alarm company would leak my away dates, causing the security of my home to be compromised.

Utilize Timed Lighting Systems

Burglars often look for homes that appear unoccupied. A well-lit home gives the impression that someone is always there. To prevent your house from looking abandoned, use timed lighting systems that automatically turn your lights on and off at specific intervals. These can be set for both indoor and outdoor lights, including porch lights and interior lamps.

Many smart home systems offer options for controlling lights remotely, which allows you to adjust the settings from your phone no matter where you are. By simulating your daily routines, these timed systems create the illusion that someone is present at the house, discouraging criminals from attempting to break in.

Secure All Windows and Doors

Before leaving, double-check all windows and doors to make sure they are locked securely. Many homeowners make the mistake of leaving windows slightly open for ventilation or neglecting to properly lock their doors. This is an open invitation for burglars to enter.

Consider adding extra locks to your windows, such as sliding window locks or additional deadbolts on doors, to improve the security of your home. Additionally, you might want to upgrade your door hardware by installing solid core or steel doors that are much harder to break into than hollow-core doors.

Smart Locks for Added Convenience

For added convenience, consider installing smart locks that allow you to control access to your home remotely. These locks can be monitored and locked or unlocked using your phone. If you want to let someone in while you’re away (like a pet sitter or neighbor), you can unlock the door remotely.

For more tips on how to secure your doors and windows, read our article titled “How to Secure Your Home: Top Tips for Doors and Windows.”

Have a Trusted Neighbor or Friend Keep an Eye on Things

Having a trusted friend or neighbor check on your property regularly while you’re away can be one of the best crime prevention measures for your home. Whether it’s collecting your mail or packages, watering your plants, or simply making sure everything looks intact, regular checks by someone you trust will help ensure that any suspicious activity is detected early.

Ask your neighbor to park their car in your driveway from time to time or to take the trash cans in and out. These seemingly small actions can make it look like someone is home, which deters potential burglars from targeting your house.

Use Curtains and Blinds Wisely

While it may seem like a good idea to leave your windows open for sunlight, it can also inadvertently reveal too much of your home’s interior. It’s a good practice to draw curtains or close blinds when you’re away, particularly if you have valuable items visible from outside.

By using opaque or thick curtains, you can prevent burglars from peeking inside and gauging whether or not your home is worth breaking into. If you want to keep the house looking “lived in,” you can leave one or two windows with a view of the outside world slightly open to create the illusion of activity.

Alternatively, you can use smart blinds to remotely control the blinds and alter the appearance of the home from the outside. As indicated by Smartblinds, this will simulate the presence of people at home.

Avoid Posting Your Travel Plans Online

While it’s tempting to share your travel plans and photos on social media, it’s essential to resist the urge to advertise your absence. Posting about your vacation can inadvertently signal to potential burglars that your home is vacant. It’s best to share travel details after you return, rather than before or during the trip.

Even if your social media profiles are private, it’s still safer to keep your travel plans low-key. A burglar doesn’t need much information to plan a break-in. When you keep your movements private, you increase the level of protection for your home.

Install Motion-Activated Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting is an important aspect of home security. Motion-activated lights placed near entry points such as front doors, back doors, and garages can help deter criminal activity by illuminating any movement around your home.

These lights are not only energy-efficient, as they only turn on when motion is detected, but they can also startle would-be intruders and make it harder for them to remain undetected. Burglars typically prefer to operate under the cover of darkness, so motion-activated lights make it more difficult for them to act unnoticed.

Secure Your Garage

Many burglars target garages as an easy point of entry, so it’s essential to secure this space properly before leaving. Ensure that your garage door is securely closed and locked at all times. If you have a separate garage door opener remote, take it with you.

You can also consider installing additional locks on the inside of the garage, including on side doors and windows. Adding a motion sensor light outside the garage is also a smart move to make it less likely for criminals to target the area.

Use a Safe for Valuables

No matter how secure your home is, it’s always a good idea to store your valuables in a safe. Safes are designed to be difficult to break into and offer a secure place to keep your important documents, jewelry, and other valuable items.

Choose a safe that is both fireproof and waterproof to ensure your belongings are safe in case of emergencies such as fires or flooding. Anchor the safe to a solid structure in your home (preferably hidden away in a closet or under the floor) to make it even more difficult for burglars to access.

Set Up a Virtual House Sitter

With advances in technology, it’s easier than ever to set up a virtual house-sitter. Platforms like home-sharing apps allow you to arrange for a trusted individual to stay in your home while you’re away, ensuring that your property remains well-guarded. If a physical house-sitter isn’t an option, consider employing a “smart house-sitting” service, where the sitter remotely manages security devices, monitors video surveillance, and handles other tasks.

Take Care of Your Lawn

Overgrown lawns, untrimmed hedges, and neglected landscaping can give the impression that a home is abandoned. Criminals often look for signs of neglect when selecting targets, as these homes are less likely to have an active occupant. Make sure to arrange for lawn maintenance services while you’re away, even if it’s just to have someone mow your grass.

A well-maintained yard is a small but effective step toward crime prevention at home. It signals that the house is cared for and monitored, thus reducing the chances of a break-in.

Conclusion: Keep Your Home Safe, Secure, and Well-Maintained While You’re Away

The safety and security of your home while you’re away doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With a combination of practical crime prevention tips and modern technology, you can rest assured that your home will remain safe, secure, and well-maintained during your absence.

By following the simple steps outlined in this guide—whether it’s installing a smart security system, setting up timed lighting, or making use of trusted neighbors—you’ll create a strong barrier against potential burglars. A well-protected home will give you peace of mind while you’re away, allowing you to enjoy your time off without worrying about what’s happening at home.

Invest in security, be vigilant, and use technology to your advantage. Safe travels!