How to protect your house during vacation

Going on vacation should be all about unwinding, not worrying about your home. Yet for many, an unoccupied house during travel brings anxiety—about break-ins, power outages, leaks, or other surprises. The good news? With simple steps and a few smart tools, you can leave confidently and enjoy your time away stress-free.

Physically secure your home before you leave

Making sure your home is physically locked down is the foundation of all good vacation security. It may seem obvious, but a surprising number of burglaries happen simply because someone forgot to lock a window or left a garage door open.

Reinforce entry points

Check every entryway to your home—not just the front door. This includes side doors, basement access, balcony doors, and garage entrances.

• Lock all windows and doors firmly.
• Install a metal bar or dowel in sliding doors.
• Reinforce door frames and hinges if they feel weak.
• Use deadbolts on all exterior doors.
• Remove outdoor spare keys completely.

Tidy up indoors and outdoors

The condition of your home can say a lot to a potential intruder. A well-maintained exterior gives the impression of activity, while neglected signs suggest no one’s home.

• Mow the lawn or arrange snow removal.
• Trim hedges away from windows and doors.
• Unplug unnecessary electronics to reduce fire risk.
• Empty the trash and clean the kitchen.
• Adjust curtains or blinds to look natural—not fully open, not fully closed.

For longer trips, consider shutting off the water main to prevent leaks. At minimum, turn off valves to washing machines and dishwashers.

Use smart tech

A quiet, dark house for days on end is an open invitation. Fortunately, smart devices can make your home look full of life—even when you’re miles away.

Mimic a lived-in home

• Smart plugs: Schedule lights or radios to turn on/off at realistic times.
• Smart bulbs: Program lighting scenes that reflect your daily routine (e.g., hallway light at dusk, bedroom light briefly at night).
• TV simulators: Inexpensive plug-in boxes that mimic the glow of a television—especially effective near windows.

Monitor with indoor cameras

If you want peace of mind that everything at home is okay, indoor cameras are a great solution. For both short and extended absences, the Camerito app is an ideal choice—it allows you to easily turn an old phone or tablet into a security camera.

Without the need for expensive equipment, you’ll get a clear view of what’s happening in key areas of your home, instant alerts when motion or sound is detected, a log of past events including video recordings, and—most importantly—a sense of security and peace of mind. Just place one device in a hallway or near the entrance, connect it to Wi-Fi, and link it to another phone you’ll use to view the feed remotely. Get inspired by this article on where to place your camera.

Involve others and minimize obvious absences

No matter how many smart tools you use, nothing beats real human help. A neighbor or friend can keep an eye on things and react faster if something goes wrong.

Ask someone you trust

Choose someone who lives nearby and is comfortable helping out.

• Have them collect your mail or newspaper deliveries.
• Ask them to move your trash bins on collection day.
• Let them park in your driveway occasionally.
• Offer them access to your security system or smart home apps, if needed.

Manage deliveries and online sharing

Avoid broadcasting your absence to the world.

• Put a hold on your postal service while you're gone.
• Reschedule any online deliveries to arrive after your return.
• Use a parcel drop box or locker service if necessary.
• Wait until you're home to share travel photos on social media.

Keeping a low profile is one of the easiest ways to avoid becoming a target.

Prevent internal hazards and plan for the unexpected

Not all risks come from the outside. Many vacation horror stories begin with burst pipes, power surges, or faulty appliances. Before you leave, take time to prevent these internal threats.

Prepare your home

• Unplug small appliances to prevent short circuits.
• Adjust heating or cooling to avoid moisture or freezing.
• Install water leak sensors near key appliances (dishwasher, washing machine, water heater).
• Close interior doors to isolate any potential fire or smoke.
• Secure or hide valuables that could be visible through windows.

Check your insurance and backup plans

Insurance preparation is also key. Don’t wait until after something happens to figure out your policy. Before leaving:

• Review your home insurance to ensure it covers theft, damage, and natural events.
• Take photos or videos of high-value items and store them in the cloud.
• Provide emergency contacts and spare keys to a neighbor or relative.
• Leave instructions for smart systems like thermostats, alarms, or Camerito.

Frequently asked questions

1. How can I secure my house or apartment before going on vacation?

The basics include locking all windows and doors, unplugging appliances, simulating presence using smart lights, and asking a trusted person to check on the house. It's also wise to hide valuables and suspend mail or deliveries.

2. What should I do at home before leaving for an extended vacation?

Before a longer trip, turn off the main water supply, unplug electronics, adjust the thermostat, secure all entry points, and double-check your insurance coverage. Set up automated lighting and make arrangements for plants or pets.

3. Which smart technologies can help protect my home while I’m on vacation?

Useful tools include smart plugs, bulbs, thermostats, motion sensors, and remote home monitoring apps—like Camerito, which lets you turn an old phone into a security camera and watch your home from anywhere.

4. How can I prevent burglaries while I’m away on vacation?

Make your home look occupied. Use scheduled lights or radios, have someone collect your mail, park a car in the driveway, and hide valuables from view. Motion-activated lights or indoor cameras with alerts also add extra protection.

5. Is it safe to share that I’m on vacation on social media?

No. Posting in real-time can alert strangers that your home is empty. It’s better to share travel photos after you return—and ideally keep your accounts private during your trip.

6. What do people often forget when securing their home before vacation?

People often overlook locking balcony doors, turning off water to washing machines, removing spare keys from obvious hiding spots, arranging for plant or pet care, or keeping neighbors informed. Smart devices should also be updated before departure.

Enjoy a truly relaxing vacation

With your home secured, your lights running on a schedule, a smart camera watching over things, and someone nearby to keep an eye out—you can truly enjoy your trip. Security isn’t about being paranoid. It’s about being prepared.

Taking just a few steps now, and incorporating affordable tools like Camerito, can save you from stress, money loss, and unpleasant surprises. When your home is protected, your vacation really begins the moment you lock the door.