Traveling for the holidays should be relaxing – not stressful. While your eight-year-old son might be eager to help, we wouldn’t recommend putting him in charge of your home security!
So, how can you protect your home while you’re away? Whether you’re away for a weekend or several weeks, taking a few precautions can help protect your home from burglaries, fire hazards, water damage, and other unexpected problems.
Here are 10 ways to protect your home while you’re away.
1. Secure all doors and windows
Lock every door, window, and garage entrance.
Use deadbolts on exterior doors.
Secure sliding doors and windows with security bars.
Double-check basement and upstairs windows.
Lock outside gates, shed doors, and shop doors.
2. Make your home look occupied
Put indoor and outdoor lights on timers or smart plugs.
Use smart lighting to vary when lights turn on.
Avoid leaving the house completely dark.
Have someone collect mail and packages.
3. Install or activate home security cameras and features
Check that security cameras are working.
Enable motion notifications.
Make sure recordings are saving.
Test your doorbell camera before leaving.
Use floodlights outside the home, near sheds, or near shops.
4. Be careful what you share on social media
Avoid announcing your travel dates publicly.
Don’t post vacation pictures in real time.
Wait until you return to share your trip.
Be mindful of location tagging.
5. Protect your home against fire
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Unplug unnecessary electronics.
Turn off small appliances.
Never leave candles burning.
Check holiday decorations and electrical cords.
6. Prevent water damage
Turning off the main water supply if appropriate for your home and plumbing system.
Check for leaking faucets and pipes.
Set your thermostat to at least 55°F to prevent frozen pipes.
Ask someone to check for leaks if you’re away for an extended period.
7. Take care of your mail and deliveries
Arrange a USPS mail hold.
Pause newspaper deliveries.
Ask a trusted family member or neighbor to collect packages.
Avoid leaving packages visible on your porch.
8. Keep your driveway and yard maintained
Arrange for snow removal or leaf removal if needed.
Have someone maintain your lawn.
Keep walkways clear.
Make sure exterior lighting works.
9. Let a trusted family member or neighbor know
Ask a trusted family member or neighbor to:
Check your home periodically.
Watch for suspicious activity.
Bring in packages.
Contact you if something looks unusual.
10. Review your insurance and emergency contacts
Make sure your homeowners insurance is current.
Know how to contact your insurance company.
Leave emergency contact information with someone you trust.
Check whether your policy has requirements for extended absences.
One final tip: Power outages in Idaho can be common in the colder months. While these outages usually only last a few hours, an extended outage can put your food at risk. Before leaving, freeze a cup of water and place a coin on top of the ice. When you return, check the coin’s position. If it has sunk into the ice or is at the bottom of the cup, it may indicate that the freezer lost power long enough for the ice to melt completely.
This simple trick can serve as a visual warning, but it isn’t a substitute for checking food temperatures. When in doubt, throw it out!
