Holiday Home Security: What to Do Before You Go Away

An empty house is an opportunity, or at least it can look like one. Whether you are away for a long weekend or a three-week trip, a few simple steps can make your home far less appealing to opportunist thieves. This guide to holiday home security gives you a practical checklist to work through before you leave, plus tips on what to do while you are away and how to avoid giving the game away online.

We do not rely on statistics here. Burglary patterns vary by area and season, so check your local police website for up-to-date advice and crime maps. [VERIFY: local data]

One week before you go

Check your insurance

• Read your policy for any unoccupancy clause. Some policies restrict cover if the property is empty for more than a set number of days.
• Check security conditions, such as the required locks.
• Ask whether valuables you are leaving behind are covered at home.
• Note the claims phone number and keep it somewhere accessible while you are away.

If you will be away for longer than your policy allows, talk to your insurer before you travel. [VERIFY: policy terms]

Service and repairs

• Fix broken locks, loose window catches and faulty lights.
• Replace the batteries in smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and any security equipment.
• Test your alarm and make sure keyholders know how to use it.

Plan help

• Trusted neighbour or friend: ask them to pop by, move the post, put out and bring in bins and park a car on your drive occasionally.
• House sitter: if you use one, agree expectations in writing and make sure your insurance allows for it.
• Keyholders: give a spare key to only one or two trusted people, and make sure the alarm provider has accurate contact details.

Two days before you go

Make the house look lived-in

• Use timer switches or smart plugs to turn lamps on and off in the evening. Vary the times and rooms if you can.
• Avoid leaving lights on all day, which can look obvious.
• Close curtains as you would normally. Fully drawn curtains during the day can advertise absence.

Reduce visible temptation

• Take valuables out of sight. Move laptops, jewellery and cash away from windows and consider a secure hiding place or safe.
• Remove items from the front garden or porch that suggest nobody is home, such as parcels or deliveries.
• Do not leave car keys or house keys near the front door.
• Put bikes, tools and garden equipment away or locked up. Our guide to protecting your shed, garage and bike has more advice.

Handle deliveries and post

• Ask neighbours to remove post from the doormat and to collect leaflets.
• Redirect or hold mail with your postal service if you will be away for a long time.
• Pause regular deliveries, such as newspapers or milk, or arrange for someone to take them in.
• Reroute parcels to a neighbour, a pickup point or your workplace.

Garden and bins

• Mow the lawn before you leave if it will otherwise look neglected.
• Arrange for bins to be put out if the collection falls during your absence.
• Lock side gates and sheds.

On the day you leave

• Walk around the house checking every door and window, including upstairs and the loft hatch if accessible.
• Lock all external doors with a key (not just a latch) and fit any bolts.
• Secure the garage and outbuildings.
• Set the alarm. Check that the system is armed and that keyholders have the right code.
• Unplug non-essential appliances to reduce fire risk, but keep your fridge and any heating protection (such as frost protection in winter) as needed.
• Turn off the water at the stopcock if you will be away for long, which reduces the risk of leaks; check the guidance for your heating system first, especially in winter. [VERIFY: boiler and heating advice]
• Do not leave a note on the door or leave an answering message that says you are away.

Staying quiet online

Social media is one of the most common ways people reveal they are away.

• Avoid posting about your trip in real time. Wait until you are back to share photos.
• Check your privacy settings so only friends see your posts, and think about who those friends are.
• Do not check in to airports, hotels or beaches publicly.
• Be careful with out-of-office replies that say when you are away and when you are back. Use a more general message if possible.
• Avoid location tags in photos if you can.
• Remind children and family members not to post about the trip publicly.

Using technology wisely

Smart cameras, doorbells and lighting can alert you to activity at home, as long as notifications go to a device you will check and your Wi-Fi stays on. Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication on camera accounts. Technology helps, but it is no substitute for good basics like locks and neighbours.

While you are away, and when you return

• Check in with your neighbour or house sitter from time to time, and do not announce your return date publicly.
• If an alarm or camera alert worries you, do not go in alone. Call 999 if you believe a crime is in progress, or 101 for a non-emergency.
• On return, check for signs of forced entry before going in. If you suspect a break-in, stay outside and call the police, then photograph any damage and contact your insurer.

A quick checklist

Task	Done
Insurance reviewed, unoccupancy rules checked
Trusted person asked to check the house
Timers set for lights/radio
Valuables hidden or secured
Post and deliveries managed
Windows and doors locked, alarm set
Garage, shed, side gates locked
Social media quiet
Emergency contacts left with trusted person

Home Security FAQs: Lighting, Locks and Insurance
How to Protect Your Shed, Garage and Bike from Theft

FAQs

Is it safe to leave lights on while I’m away?
Lights on timers that vary are better than a single light left on constantly. A light that is on all day and night can look as if nobody is home.

Should I tell my neighbours I’m going away?
Yes, if you trust them. Neighbours who know your plans can spot anything unusual and keep the house looking lived-in.

Can I leave a spare key outside?
It is best not to. Burglars know the usual hiding places. Leave a key with someone you trust instead.

Is a house sitter better than an empty house?
Often yes, but check that your insurer is happy, give clear instructions and meet the sitter in advance.

Conclusion

Holiday home security comes down to making your home look occupied, limiting what can be seen and stolen, and staying quiet about your absence, online and offline. Run through the checklist a few days before you leave and again on the day. With sensible planning, you can relax and enjoy your time away.