7 Ways to Keep Homes Safe While on Vacation

Summer is about to be in full swing, which means many Americans across the country will soon be leaving their homes to go on vacation. But leaving for an extended period of time can raise worries about home safety. 

Safety Worries Prevent Relaxation 

For most, vacation is a time for relaxation and an escape from everyday life. However, a 2024 survey from Schlange found that of 2,000 homeowners, 31% reported that it takes them at least half a day (or even a full day for 18%) to fully relax and unwind due to home safety concerns.  

Empty Homes Are More Vulnerable to Burglary 

There’s a reason vacationing homeowners are concerned about leaving: studies show that vacant homes are more likely to be burglarized. 

“Above all, burglars look for a house with nobody home,” says home security company Vivint. “They typically approach a property (both to survey the location and to commit the potentially violent crime) during the day, with a number of burglaries occurring between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when people are most likely to be out of the home.” 

Overall, residential properties account for over 50% of burglary offenses, according to ADT. A home burglary occurs once every 25.7 seconds, with the most occurring during the summer.   

How to Prevent Home Burglary While Away 

June isn’t just the kickoff to prime vacation season – it’s also National Safety Month. Here are seven ways to keep your home safe while away, whether it’s summertime or any other time of year. 

1. Make your home look occupied. 

Burglars are more likely to be deterred if it looks like someone is home. Leaving some lights on inside and parking a car in the driveway can help it look like the home is occupied when it’s not. 

2. Avoid posting about vacation online. 

It may be tempting to post travel plans or vacation photos, but waiting until after the trip is over is often best. Posting these things tells criminals that your home is empty, making it a target for burglary. 

3. Lock all doors and windows. 

This may seem like a no-brainer, but ADT reports that 25% of homeowners in an insurance study admitted they left their doors unlocked at least once while away, and 35% admitted to leaving a first-floor window unlatched. Additionally, 25% of thieves gain access from the open front or back door.  

Before leaving, make sure to lock all points of entry, including front and back doors, windows, garage doors and sheds. 

4. Don’t leave spare keys in obvious places. 

Many homeowners keep a spare key under a doormat, in a nearby potted plant, inside a fake rock and in other common hiding places. These are well-known spots for burglars, making their crimes easier to commit. 

5. Install a security system. 

ADT reports that in one study, 50% of burglars would stop their crime when confronted with a security system, but only 34% of people had one. Even a simple, visible security system can go a long way in deterring home crimes. 

6. Keep valuables out of sight. 

Burglars are more likely to target a home that has valuables out in plain sight. If possible, store away valuable items like small electronics, jewelry, art, etc., so they’re not visible from windows. 

Additionally, ADT recommends keeping lawnmowers, grills, bicycles and other large items out of the front yard. 

7. Have someone check in. 

Of the homeowners polled by Schlange, 65% said they have at least one person visit their home while they’re away, whether that’s a dedicated house sitter or just a trusted neighbor.  

This person can help make the home look occupied by getting the mail and packages (package theft is another concern when away), taking trash cans to the curb/bringing them back, mowing the lawn, clearing flyers off doors and more. They can also keep an eye on the home overall, making sure everything is okay and alerting owners quickly if anything looks amiss.