by Sharon McDowell, MMBB Business Liaison, Technical Trainer
What's in this Article
- Make Your Home Appear Occupied from the Inside
- Check Door and Window Locks
- Avoid Outdoor Signs That You Are Gone
- Ask Someone You Trust to Check In
- Be Careful About What You Share
- Security Systems and Smart Devices
- Cameras and Outdoor Deterrents
- Do a Final Safety Check
Summer vacation is a time to relax, recharge, and enjoy a break from your usual routine, but an empty home can create security risks if you are not prepared. Before you head out for a weekend getaway or a longer trip, take a few simple precautions to help protect your home from break-ins, theft, and property damage.
Make Your Home Appear Occupied from the Inside
Making your house look like you’re still at home is an important step to protecting property while out of town. Here are a couple of tips for creating the appearance of an occupied dwelling:
- Use timers or smart plugs to turn both outdoor and indoor lights on and off at realistic times. A home that appears active is less likely to attract unwanted attention.
- A smart TV or speaker can turn a television or music device on and off to mimic the activity patterns of an inhabitant.
- If you don’t normally close your blinds, don’t close them when you’re gone. Keep blinds and curtains in a “natural” state so they are sufficiently closed that no one can see in but not closed completely. You may also want to invest in smart blinds that open and close from your phone.
Check Door and Window Locks
Before you leave, double-check all doors, windows, garage entrances, and sliding doors. Make sure everything is locked, including side gates, basement windows, even the door between the garage and the house.
Other things to consider:
· If your door has a mail slot, make sure someone can’t reach through it to unlock your door.
· Smart locks can be accessed remotely to lock or unlock a door if needed.
· Disconnect the remote control to your garage before you leave, so the electronic signal can’t be hacked.
· Check into upgrading to a smart garage door opener that lets you open and close the door from your phone and alerts you when the door is opened.
Avoid Outdoor Signs That You Are Gone
A few small steps can help keep your home from looking vacant while you are away:
- Pause the mail, newspaper, and routine deliveries, or ask a friend to collect them.
- If you are gone for an extended period, arrange for lawn care, snow removal, or trash disposal so the property does not look unattended.
- Have a neighbor use your driveway to park a car.
Ask Someone You Trust to Check In
A friend, family member or neighbor can stop by periodically to check doors and windows, bring in items left outside, and respond quickly if something seems wrong. If needed, leave that person a key and a way to reach you in an emergency.
Be Careful About What You Share
Avoid posting real-time travel plans or vacation photos on social media until you return. Broadcasting that no one is home creates an unnecessary security risk. Other social media tips while you’re away:
- Set your account to private. Public settings mean anyone can access your information on a social media platform, even people you don’t know. Setting your account to private limits who can see your posts and other information.
- Decline requests from unknown people even if they are a friend of a friend.
- Turn off GPS Tracking. Before your vacation begins, turn off GPS tracking on all social media apps. It’s a simple way to boost security in general.
- Don’t post your travel details or itinerary under any circumstances.
- Post pictures when you return. Share your photos when you return home. It’s not as fun to post afterward but it’s a lot safer. You don’t want to come home to a burglarized home.
- Talk to your kids about social media sharing. You may know exactly what to do to stay safe online but are your kids also fully aware?
Security Systems and Smart Devices
If you do not have an alarm system, consider installing one. A monitored system, smart sensors, or connected alarms can alert you to door openings, motion, or other issues that need attention. If you already have a system, make sure it’s armed before you leave and that phone notifications are turned on.
It is also worth thinking beyond burglary. Depending on the length of your trip, you may want to unplug nonessential electronics, set the thermostat appropriately, and consider shutting off the main water supply to reduce the risk of damage while the house is empty.
Cameras and Outdoor Deterrents
Doorbell cameras and other outdoor security cameras can help you monitor entry points and discourage intruders. Place cameras where they clearly cover front and back doors, driveways, and other main access points.
Motion-activated exterior lights can add another layer of deterrence by drawing attention to unexpected activity around your home at night.
Do a Final Safety Check
Before leaving, test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, confirm your locks are secure, verify cameras and sensors are online, and make sure a trusted contact knows how to reach you. A final walkthrough can help you catch anything you might otherwise forget.
While no single step can guarantee complete protection, taking several of these measures together can ensure your home is less vulnerable and give you greater peace of mind while you are away.
Sharon McDowell serves as the business liaison and technical trainer at MMBB. She joined MMBB’s staff in 1992 and served on MMBB’s Help Desk team as a network analyst for more than 15 years. She is currently responsible for coordinating MMBB’s ongoing cybersecurity training. Her education includes a BS in computer science from State University of New York, College at New Paltz.
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