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The Best Ways to Keep Your Home Safe While Traveling

by Ayesha Patel

home while traveling
A visually rich, cartoon-style illustration of a home set against a twilight sky. The house should have a charming, friendly demeanor with anthropomorphic features such as eyes for windows and a door for a mouth. The house is wearing a safari hat and sunglasses, symbolizing the concept of travel. In the foreground, a security camera is mounted on a tree, scanning the area with a visible infrared beam. A smart light bulb, glowing with a soft light, is replacing the sun in the sky, setting the scene of an evening with a timer symbol incorporated into its filament. The mailbox in front of the house is visible, but it's sealed with a 'paused' icon, indicating stopped mail delivery. There's a lawn that looks well-kept, with a robotic lawnmower parked on one side. On one side of the house, a closed window is shown with a sturdy deadbolt lock and security bars. On the other side, there's a TV visible through the window, with visible sound waves emanating from it, demonstrating a timer-controlled electronic device. There's a friendly neighbor waving from the house next door, parking his car in the driveway. A wifi signal symbol with a lock icon floats above the house, indicating a secure network. On the house's front door, there's a 'Do Not Disturb' sign with a social media logo crossed out, pointing to not advertising travel plans online. Lastly, the house is standing on a safe, symbolizing the use of a safe for valuable items. The safe should look strong, fireproof, and waterproof, with a visible keyhole and a heavy-duty dial. This image should use bright, appealing colors and a slightly exaggerated style to make it eye-catching and engaging, while still clearly conveying the main points of your blog post
Protect your property when you're away.

Are you planning a vacation or a business trip? While you're excited about your upcoming adventure, it's crucial not to overlook the safety of your home while you're away. In this comprehensive travel home safety guide, we'll explore the best home safety tips for travelers and discuss how to keep your home safe on vacation. By implementing these strategies, you can protect your home when you're away and enjoy your travels with peace of mind.

1. Install a Robust Home Security System

One of the most effective ways to ensure home security while traveling is to install a comprehensive security system. Modern systems offer a range of features that not only deter potential intruders but also allow you to monitor your home remotely.

A modern home security system installed on a wall, complete with motion sensors, alarms and surveillance cameras, and a smartphone on a table displaying a live surveillance feed, symbolizing remote monitoring and control of the system

A state-of-the-art home security system typically includes:

  • Alarms that trigger when unauthorized entry is detected
  • Motion sensors that can identify movement inside and outside your home
  • Surveillance cameras that provide real-time video feeds
  • Smart technology integration for remote monitoring and control

With these features in place, you can keep an eye on your property from anywhere in the world. Many systems also offer smartphone apps that allow you to arm or disarm your security system, view live camera feeds, and receive instant notifications if any unusual activity is detected.

2. Leverage Smart Lighting for a Lived-in Look

When it comes to protecting your home when you're away, creating the illusion of occupancy is key. Smart lighting systems are an excellent tool for achieving this effect.

A cozy living room with smart lights glowing warmly, timed to switch on as dusk falls outside the window, with a visible control interface on a coffee table displaying different lighting schedules, conveying the concept of mimicking an occupied home

Smart lights offer several advantages:

  • Programmable schedules to turn lights on and off at specific times
  • Remote control via smartphone apps
  • Ability to mimic typical household lighting patterns
  • Integration with other smart home devices for a more comprehensive security setup

By setting up your smart lights to switch on and off at various times throughout the day and evening, you create the appearance of an active household. This can be a powerful deterrent for potential burglars who are looking for empty homes to target.

3. Manage Your Mail and Deliveries

An overflowing mailbox or a pile of newspapers on your doorstep is a clear sign that no one's home. To maintain the appearance of an occupied house and keep your home safe on vacation, take these steps:

  • Put a temporary hold on your mail delivery through your local post office
  • Suspend newspaper subscriptions for the duration of your trip
  • Ask a trusted neighbor to collect any unexpected deliveries or flyers

By managing these small details, you eliminate obvious indicators that your home is unoccupied, enhancing your overall home security while traveling.

4. Keep Your Lawn Maintained

A neatly maintained front yard of a house with trimmed lawn and an empty mailbox, a neighbor is seen collecting newspapers from the front porch, suggesting the appearance of an inhabited home while the owners are away

An unkempt lawn is another telltale sign of an empty house. If you're planning an extended trip, arrange for lawn care to maintain the appearance of regular home maintenance. Consider these options:

  • Hire a professional lawn care service
  • Ask a neighbor or family member to mow your lawn periodically
  • Install an automated sprinkler system to keep your lawn watered

A well-maintained exterior not only deters burglars but also prevents your home from becoming a target for vandalism or other property crimes.

5. Use Timers for Electronics

In addition to smart lighting, using timers for other electronics can further enhance the illusion of an occupied home. Consider setting timers for:

  • TVs
  • Radios
  • Fans
  • Other household appliances

The sound of a TV or radio playing at various times can make it seem like someone is home, deterring potential intruders. This simple yet effective strategy is an essential part of any travel home safety guide.

6. Secure All Entry Points

While it may seem obvious, ensuring all doors and windows are securely locked is crucial for home security while traveling. Take these additional steps to reinforce your home's entry points:

  • Install deadbolt locks on all exterior doors
  • Upgrade to stronger, more secure doors and windows
  • Consider adding security bars or grills to ground-floor windows
  • Use window locks or pins to prevent windows from being opened from the outside

These physical deterrents can significantly delay or prevent a break-in, giving you extra peace of mind while you're away.

7. Enlist the Help of Trusted Neighbors

One of the best home safety tips for travelers is to inform trusted neighbors about your travel plans. Neighbors can be invaluable allies in protecting your home when you're away. Ask them to:

  • Keep an eye on your property and report any suspicious activity
  • Collect any unexpected deliveries or flyers
  • Park their car in your driveway occasionally to give the impression of activity
  • Use your trash bins on collection day

Building a network of vigilant neighbors creates an added layer of security for your home and can deter potential intruders.

8. Secure Your Wi-Fi Network

In today's digital age, home security while traveling extends beyond physical protection. Securing your home's Wi-Fi network is crucial to prevent cybercriminals from accessing sensitive information about your home or travel plans. Take these steps to protect your network:

  • Use a strong, unique password for your Wi-Fi
  • Enable WPA3 encryption if available
  • Disable remote management features
  • Keep your router's firmware up to date

A secure Wi-Fi network protects your digital assets and prevents unauthorized access to any smart home devices you may be using for security.

9. Be Cautious with Social Media

While it's tempting to share your exciting travel plans on social media, doing so can alert potential burglars that your home will be empty. To keep your home safe on vacation, follow these social media best practices:

  • Avoid posting about upcoming trips before you leave
  • Wait until you return to share photos and stories from your travels
  • Check your privacy settings to ensure only trusted friends can see your posts
  • Be cautious about sharing location data or checking in at various destinations

By being mindful of your online presence, you can prevent your social media activity from compromising your home's security.

10. Use a Safe for Valuables

Even with all these precautions in place, it's wise to prepare for the worst-case scenario. Investing in a high-quality home safe can protect your most valuable possessions in the event of a break-in. Consider these factors when choosing a safe:

  • Fire resistance to protect documents and valuables from heat damage
  • Water resistance to guard against flooding or water damage from firefighting efforts
  • Size and capacity to accommodate your valuable items
  • Locking mechanism (key, combination, or biometric)

Store important documents, jewelry, cash, and other valuables in your safe before leaving for your trip. This extra layer of protection ensures that even if someone does gain access to your home, your most precious items remain secure.

Conclusion

By implementing these best home safety tips for travelers, you can significantly enhance your home security while traveling. From installing a comprehensive security system to enlisting the help of neighbors and securing your digital presence, each step contributes to a more secure home environment. Remember, the key to protecting your home when you're away is to create the illusion of occupancy and make it as difficult as possible for potential intruders to gain access.

As you prepare for your next trip, take the time to implement these strategies. With your home secure, you can fully enjoy your travels, knowing that you've taken all the necessary precautions to keep your property safe.

At simpleHome, we understand the importance of home security and maintenance. That's why we're dedicated to helping homeowners connect with local professionals who can assist with everything from installing security systems to maintaining your property while you're away. Our network of trusted experts can help you implement many of the strategies discussed in this travel home safety guide, ensuring that your home remains safe and secure, no matter where your adventures take you.