Preparing Your Home for Security When You’re Away

Leaving home for a few hours is usually routine, but being away for several days or weeks requires a little more preparation. Whether the reason is a holiday, work trip, or visiting family, an unattended home can benefit from a few simple precautions.

The good news is that preparing a property does not have to involve complicated changes. A combination of everyday habits, sensible planning, and modern technology can make it easier to keep track of the home while you are away.

Start With the Entry Points

Before leaving, check the main doors and accessible windows around the property. Make sure they are properly closed and locked, including entrances that may not be used regularly.

Garages, balconies, side doors, and basement-level windows can sometimes be overlooked because they are not part of the usual daily routine.

It can help to walk around the property before leaving and check each potential access point rather than assuming everything has been secured.

Don't Make the Home Look Empty

A completely dark house can sometimes make it obvious that nobody is home.

Simple lighting arrangements can help maintain a more normal appearance. Timers or automated lights can be useful for rooms that would normally be occupied during the evening.

Outdoor lighting around entrances and pathways can also improve visibility after dark.

The goal is not to leave every light switched on. Instead, using lighting in a sensible way can make the property appear more naturally occupied while also making important areas easier to see.

Keep an Eye on Deliveries

Mail, parcels, and newspapers can accumulate when nobody is home.

If you are going to be away for an extended period, consider arranging for someone you trust to collect deliveries or temporarily redirect important mail where appropriate.

A pile of packages outside the front door can be a clear indication that a property is unattended.

Use Cameras Where They Actually Help

Security cameras can provide useful visibility when homeowners are away.

Rather than trying to monitor every part of a property, consider areas where visibility is particularly important. Main entrances, driveways, garages, back doors, and outdoor pathways are common examples.

Camera placement matters. The device should have a clear view of the area it is intended to monitor without being blocked by plants, walls, furniture, or other objects.

For homeowners who want broader monitoring, a Residential Security System can combine cameras and other security features according to the layout of the property.

Consider Motion and Entry Alerts

A camera can show what happened, but an alert can help bring attention to an event sooner.

Depending on the system, homeowners may be able to receive notifications when motion is detected or when a monitored door or window is opened.

These features can be particularly useful when nobody is physically present at the property.

However, notifications should be configured carefully. Too many unnecessary alerts can make it difficult to notice the ones that actually matter.

Ask Someone You Trust to Check the Property

Technology can provide useful information, but having a trusted person nearby can also be helpful during a long absence.

A neighbour, friend, or family member may be able to check the property if there is an unexpected situation, such as a power problem, water leak, severe weather event, or other issue that requires someone to be physically present.

Make sure they know how to contact you and have access to any information they may reasonably need.

Be Careful About Sharing Travel Plans

Social media makes it easy to share holiday photographs and travel updates, but posting that a home is currently empty may reveal more information than intended.

Consider sharing detailed travel updates after returning rather than announcing that the property will be unattended for a particular period.

This is especially worth considering when public social media profiles are accessible to people outside your immediate circle.

Check Your Security Equipment Before Leaving

A security system is not particularly useful if a camera has stopped working or a sensor has a depleted battery.

Before a long trip, check that important devices are functioning properly. Make sure cameras are connected, storage is available where applicable, and notifications are reaching the intended device.

It can also be useful to test the system from outside the home so you know what information is available when you are away.

Don't Forget About Digital Security

Connected home devices are part of your digital environment as well as your physical home.

Use strong, unique passwords for security equipment and associated accounts. Where supported, enable additional account protection such as two-factor authentication.

Keep device software and firmware updated when manufacturers provide updates.

These basic practices can reduce avoidable account and access problems.

Prepare for a Longer Absence

If you are leaving for several weeks rather than a few days, there are additional practical considerations.

Depending on the property, you may want to arrange for plants to be watered, pets to be cared for, rubbish to be collected, and essential maintenance to be handled.

It can also be useful to make sure important contact information is available to the person checking the property.

A little preparation before leaving can prevent small issues from becoming larger problems while you are away.

Final Thoughts

Keeping a home secure while travelling is not about creating an elaborate system. It is about reducing obvious risks and making sure you can remain informed when you are not physically present.

Secure the entry points, manage deliveries, use lighting sensibly, check important security equipment, and consider cameras or alerts where they genuinely add value.

Most importantly, choose a setup that fits the property and is simple enough to maintain. With a combination of practical habits and appropriate technology, homeowners can leave for a trip with a clearer idea of what is happening at home while they are away.