How to Protect Your Home While You're Away on Vacation

Contributed post.

Getting ready for a trip is super exciting. You pack your bags, book your flights, and start dreaming about all the fun ahead. But for a lot of us, a little worry can sneak in. Is the house okay? Did I really lock the back door? What if a pipe bursts while I'm gone? Taking a few steps before you leave can help you ditch those anxieties, letting you fully enjoy your time away. This guide will walk you through everything you need to do to keep your home safe and sound while you're on vacation.

Pre-Trip Home Security Checklist

Before you head out, doing a final security check can stop a lot of problems before they start. Think of it like a last-minute checklist to make sure your home's basic defenses are all set. These simple actions make it look like someone's home, which is a great way to keep unwanted attention away.

First, walk through your whole property. Double-check that every single door and window is locked tight. This means basement windows, upstairs windows, and even the door from the garage into the house. It's easy to forget one, so be really thorough. If you have a sliding glass door, pop a dowel or security bar in the track for extra protection.

Next, take care of your mail and deliveries. A pile of newspapers on the porch or a mailbox overflowing is a clear sign that nobody's home. You can easily put a hold on your mail through the USPS website. For packages, try to schedule them for after you get back. If something unexpected shows up, ask a trusted neighbor to grab it for you. Letting a neighbor know you'll be away is always a good idea. They can keep an eye on your place and tell you if anything looks off. Make sure you have a solid house checklist before vacation to run through so you don't miss any important steps. Finally, look at your home's outside. Trim any overgrown bushes or trees that someone could hide behind to get close to your house. Make sure all your outdoor security lights are working.

Smart Home Tech for Peace of Mind

Back in the day, home security usually meant setting timers for your lights and hoping for the best. Today, smart home tech lets you connect directly to your home, no matter where you are in the world. These gadgets can not only scare off potential intruders but also let you check in and confirm everything's alright.

Here are a few smart tech items worth looking into:

• Video Doorbells and Outdoor Cameras: These are probably the most popular smart security devices. They let you see who's at your front door or on your property in real-time. Most send you notifications on your phone if they sense movement. You can even chat with visitors using a two-way audio feature.
• Smart Locks: Did you forget to lock the door? With a smart lock, you can check its status and lock it from your phone, even if you're miles away. You can also create temporary access codes for a house-sitter or neighbor, which is much safer than leaving a key under the mat.
• Smart Lighting: While old-school timers are fine, smart bulbs and plugs are even better. You can set random schedules for your lights to turn on and off, making it look more genuinely like someone's home. Some systems even have a "vacation mode" that does this automatically. A holiday travel security checklist often shows how these smart devices can team up to make your home super secure.
• Smart Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: These devices won't just blare an alarm in the house; they'll also send an alert to your phone if they detect smoke or CO, so you can call for help right away.

Preventing Common Household Disasters

Security isn't just about stopping break-ins. Some of the most expensive and stressful travel emergencies come from problems inside your house, like water leaks or electrical issues. A little bit of prevention can save you from a huge headache and a really unpleasant welcome home.

Water damage is one of the biggest risks for an empty house. A small leak from a washing machine hose or a toilet supply line can go unnoticed for days, causing major damage to floors, walls, and your belongings. For longer trips, it's a smart move to turn off the main water supply to your house. It usually only takes a minute and prevents unexpected leaks while you're away. If you don't want to turn off all the water, at least shut off the valves to individual appliances like the washing machine and dishwasher. If you return to a flooded basement or a soaked kitchen, it's important to act quickly. A professional water damage restoration company can remove standing water, dry affected areas, and help prevent mold from developing before the damage becomes more severe.

Electrical problems are another worry. Power surges can mess up sensitive electronics. Before you leave, unplug any appliances you don't need, like computers, coffee makers, and TVs. This not only protects them from surges but also saves a tiny bit of energy. It's also a good idea to check your smoke detectors and change the batteries if they need it. Finally, adjust your thermostat. You don't need to heat or cool an empty house to your usual comfy temperature. Setting it a few degrees warmer in the summer or cooler in the winter will save money and reduce stress on your heating and cooling system.

What to Do About Unexpected Home Emergencies

Even with all the best planning, things can still go wrong. A big storm could knock a tree branch onto your roof, or a power outage could spoil everything in your fridge. The trick to handling these situations is having a clear plan before you even leave home. Panicking from thousands of miles away won't fix anything, but having a go-to person and a plan of action will.

Your first line of defense is a trusted friend, family member, or neighbor who has access to your home. Give this person a key and a full list of emergency contacts. Walk them through your home before you leave, showing them where the main water shut-off valve and the circuit breaker box are. This person will be your eyes and ears on the ground. If your smart camera alerts you to a problem or a neighbor calls about a broken window, your designated helper can go check it out for you.

You should also talk about how to pay for emergency repairs. You might leave them some emergency cash, give them your credit card info for a specific purpose, or agree to send them money electronically if a repair is needed. It’s important to prepare your home for traveling by not just locking up but also by empowering someone you trust to act on your behalf. This preparation makes sure a small issue doesn't turn into a disaster while you're away.

Emergency Contacts for Home Issues

When an emergency pops up, the last thing you want is to frantically search for a reliable plumber's number or your insurance agent. Before your trip, put together a complete list of emergency contacts and leave a copy with your house-sitter, plus another in an easy-to-find spot in your home. You should also save a digital copy for yourself.

Your list should include more than just 911. Be specific and cover the most likely scenarios. A good emergency contact sheet should have:

• Your Trusted Helper: The name and number of the person you've asked to watch your home.
• Repair Services:
• Plumber
• Electrician
• HVAC technician
• Roofing company
• Utilities: The phone numbers for your gas, electric, and water companies to report outages or other issues.
• Insurance: The phone number for your homeowner's insurance company and your policy number. This is super important for starting a claim quickly.
• Local Authorities: The non-emergency number for the local police or sheriff's department.
• Your Itinerary: A copy of your travel plans, including flight numbers and hotel contact info, so your helper can reach you if your cell service is spotty.

Putting this list together might take an hour, but it’s an incredibly valuable resource. It lets your designated helper take quick, effective action, protecting your property and letting you handle a crisis from afar. 

A little bit of planning goes a long way. Taking these steps to secure your home from both outside threats and internal mishaps helps you head off on your travels with confidence. Now go enjoy your trip!