11 Best Ways to Protect Your Home When You’re on Holiday
Protecting your home when you’re on holiday is easy to do, once you know how. Whether you have a vacation house or apartment or are renting out your home while you’re away, there are plenty of simple steps you can take to secure your home without breaking the bank.
Here are a few tried-and-true ways to protect your home while you’re away, no matter what form of holiday escape you choose.
12 Best Ways to Protect Your Home When You’re on Holiday
1. Get a security system
One of the best ways to protect your home is to install a comprehensive security system. A good security system will include motion detectors, window and door sensors, and even surveillance cameras. If you’re away for an extended period of time, consider upgrading your system to include a professional monitoring service that will contact the police or fire department if any of your sensors are triggered.
If your budget doesn’t quite cover this, like mine, then the EZVIZ 2K Video Doorbell Battery-Powered Wireless Kit is a good alternative. We have this and it’s a great way to see who’s at your door through the app, relatively cheaply. The doorbell is easy to install, and lasts for over 115 days without a charge. It has a wide field of view and Human Motion Detection too. Weatherproof design comes as standard of course.
2. Invest in quality locks
If you’re going to be away from home for a while, investing in high-quality locks for your doors and windows is worth it. Deadbolts are the most secure type of lock for doors, so be sure to install them on all exterior doors. For windows, consider using pin locks or security bars in addition to your standard locks.
3. Keep valuables out of sight
It’s always a good idea to keep valuables like jewellery, electronics, and cash out of sight when you’re not home. If you have a safe, use it to store these items while you’re away. If you don’t have a safe, consider hiding your valuables in a difficult-to-find spot like the back of a wardrobe or under a mattress.
4. Stop mail and newspaper delivery
Stopping your mail and newspaper delivery is one of the easiest ways to protect your home while you’re away. If you have a physical mailbox, contact the post office and ask them to hold your mail until you return. If you get your newspaper delivered, cancel the subscription or ask a neighbour to grab it for you while you’re gone. An overflowing mailbox or a pile of newspapers on your doorstep can be a dead giveaway that no one is home.
5. Use timers for lights and electronics
Another way to make it look like someone is home even when you’re not is to use timers for your lights and electronics. You can buy timers that plug into any standard outlet and are programmable to turn lights and appliances on and off at specific times. This will give the illusion that someone is home even when there’s no one there.
6. Keep an eye on your home
If you have a security system with surveillance cameras, you can check in on your home while you’re away by logging into the app on your phone or computer. If you don’t have a security system, consider asking a neighbour or friend to keep an eye on your place while you’re gone. They can keep an eye out for suspicious activity and collect your mail or newspapers for you too.
7. Let trusted people know you’re gone
If you have a trusted neighbour, friend, or family member, let them know that you’ll be away so they can keep an eye on your home. If you have a security system, give them the code so they can check in on your home while you’re away. It’s also a good idea to provide them with a key in case of an emergency.
8. Make sure your home is insured
Before you go on holiday, be sure to check that your home insurance policy is up to date and provides adequate coverage. If you’re renting out your home while you’re away, be sure to check with your insurance company to see if your policy covers short-term rentals.
9. Plan for pet care
If you have pets, make arrangements for someone to take care of them while you’re away. If you have a dog, arrange for a dog walker or neighbour to stop by once or twice a day to let them out and give them some exercise. But if you have cats, set up a litter box and leave enough food and water for them to last the entire time you’re gone. If you have other pets, like fish or reptiles, ask a friend or neighbour to stop by once a day to feed them and clean their tanks.
10. Secure your home
Before going on holiday, do a walk-through of your home and look for any potential security risks. Be sure to lock all doors and windows, and consider installing additional locks, like deadbolts or pin locks, for extra security.
11. Take pictures and videos of your home
Before you leave, be sure to take pictures and videos of your home, both inside and out. This will provide documentation of the condition of your home in case of any damage that may occur while you’re away.
How to protect your home
While it is impossible to protect your home while you are away completely, there are some precautions that you can take to make sure that your home is as safe as possible. You can help ensure that your home is not an easy target for burglars or thieves by following these tips. Have a safe and happy holiday!