Burglary Prevention: Safeguarding Your Home While on Vacation

July 22, 2018 Chris Marciano

In This Post:

Effective Strategies and Tips to Ensure Home Security During Your Absence

Do your neighbors know when you are leaving on vacation? Even more importantly should they?

Going on vacation is a wonderful escape, but concerns about the security of your home can linger. Break-ins are unfortunately common, occurring every 25.7 seconds in the U.S. alone. However, with careful planning and smart habits, you can significantly reduce the risk of burglary and damage to your property. In this guide, we'll explore effective ways to protect your home while you're away, ensuring you can enjoy your vacation with peace of mind.

The Top 10!

Install a Comprehensive Security System: Bolster your home's protection with an advanced security system, making it less attractive to potential burglars.
Strategic Illumination with Timers or Smart Lighting: Enhance home security by using timed lighting both inside and outside, creating the illusion of an occupied home and discouraging break-ins.
Maintain Driveway Activity: Deter burglars by parking a vehicle in the driveway or asking a neighbor to do so, giving the impression of an inhabited residence.
Rely on a Trusted House Sitter or Friend: Ensure your home's security by enlisting a reliable friend or house sitter to perform regular checks during your absence.
Exercise Caution with Social Media Updates: Minimize the risk of burglary by refraining from sharing vacation plans on social media, preventing potential criminals from targeting your empty home.
Continue Routine Home Services: Sustain the appearance of an occupied home by maintaining regular services such as lawn care, reinforcing security measures.
Electronics Unplugged for Hazard Prevention: Safeguard against electrical fires and power surges by unplugging nonessential electronics before leaving, reducing potential hazards.
Securely Conceal Valuables: Minimize the risk of theft by storing valuable items in a secure location or safety deposit box, enhancing overall home security.
Pause Mail and Newspaper Deliveries: Prevent obvious signs of an unattended home by halting mail and newspaper deliveries or arranging for a neighbor to collect them.
Fortify Doors, Windows, and Garage: Prior to departure, bolster security by ensuring all entry points are securely locked, and consider reinforcing windows and doors for added protection.

Bad Guys Love Your Routines!

As human beings, we are inherently equipped to identify patterns and routines. Even if you are not paying attention to them, you recognize them. Even if you are not cognizant of them, you have your own routines, too.

Every morning, you may walk out with your cup of coffee to the end of the driveway and pick up your newspaper. Your neighbor Bill may have the same routine. On top of that, it so happens that four out of seven mornings, you and Bill walk to get the paper at the same time. As you cross paths, you greet one another, have small talk, and then move on with your day. Over time, you realize that Bill leaves the house every weekday morning at 8:15 a.m. sharp in order to get to work on time. I’m willing to bet that Bill or Bill’s partner knows that you get home from work at 5:30 each night.

It's easy for neighbors to pick up on one another’s routines. It’s easy for bad guys, too.

One important aspect we emphasize in our home security awareness sessions is the significance of neighborhood activity—whether genuine or perceived. We encourage homeowners to promote a sense of community by participating in local events, maintaining a well-kept and visually appealing property, and displaying signs like "Children At Play." These actions send a clear message to potential intruders that residents are vigilant and observant, deterring malicious intent.

In my perspective, those with ill intentions often seek easy opportunities. Strengthen your home's defenses by installing motion-activated lights and fostering a positive relationship with your neighbors. Additionally, consider reinforcing ground-level windows with clear plastic. Taking these extra measures can discourage potential threats from targeting your home.

More Ways To Protect Your Home While Away on Vacation

Put your mail and newspaper delivery on hold. Better yet, have a neighbor or family member come over daily to secure it.
Call your local police department and let them know you’ll be away. Request extra patrol. That department will pass the information along to all their officers so they are aware.
Install timers on your interior and exterior lights. Don’t set them for the same time each night. Set timers that do different things on different days of the week at different times.
Employ a housesitter or someone to come daily to check the house.
Have housesitters change the layout of your curtains and blinds. On Monday, the kitchen curtains may be drawn, but on Tuesday, they may be open. This will not go unnoticed if someone is, in fact, watching your home.
Make sure all the locks on your doors are working, and check them twice before you leave.
Keep mowing the lawn; if you don’t normally hire someone to do it, hire someone or pay the neighbor’s kid to mow. Remember, activity helps keep away unwanted guests.
Do not keep extra cash or valuable items in your home that can be safely stored somewhere else while you are away.
Keep a detailed list of all your valuables that you have to leave at home and note the serial number, make, model, and location where they are normally kept Keep this list at another location or on your person.
Have an action plan for if something happens while you are away, such as a break-in, fire, flood, water heater problem, etc. Know what to do before life dictates that you have to do something.

The key is to adopt a proactive mindset, considering potential vulnerabilities in your home security. Before embarking on your vacation, ponder, "Where is my home most susceptible?" Once you've pinpointed these weak points, think creatively to devise effective strategies for prevention. Develop practical plans to fortify each vulnerability, enhancing your overall home protection.

In our tech-driven era, consider investing in home automation solutions. Modern technology allows you to make your entire home digitally accessible and controllable through your smartphone. While there's no foolproof plan to eliminate all risks, bolstering your home with obstacles and advanced safety features significantly enhances your overall security.