Home security steps you should take before leaving for vacation

‘Tis the season for family vacations and getting away from the daily grind. Maybe you’ve been stuck at home for too long and you’re ready to just go...somewhere. If you're planning a summer vacation this year, you may be asking yourself, "How can I secure my home while I'm on vacation?"

Most homes are targeted by a simple selection process. A burglar chooses a house with easy access, excellent cover and good escape routes, but they will usually bypass one that requires too much effort or poses a high risk. Here are five home security steps you should take before enjoying your relaxing retreat away from home.

Look active

A key part of vacation safety is giving the impression that the home is occupied. Try some or all of these ideas for confusing thieves while you’re gone:

• Install a smart lighting system that turns on and off at random intervals. You might also opt for motion sensor lighting near your home’s entry points. If you have a family member or friend taking care of pets or plants, ask them to turn different lights on and off throughout the home each time they visit. It’s the same effect of smart lighting but with a more manual approach. Leave blinds and curtains partially open so people can actually see lights turning on and off.
• Create a “vacation” scene with your smart home hub. You could include locking the door, turning lights on and off, playing music occasionally and adjusting the thermostat. Not only does it make others think you’re still there, but it can help conserve energy and money as well by not leaving them on the entire time.
• Ask the post office to hold your mail until you return or have a friend or family members pick it up for you. A pile of mail on the front porch is a giveaway that the house is vacant. Pause your meal delivery services and other regular drop-offs, too.
• Arrange for someone – a friend or lawncare service – to maintain the landscaping and cut the grass if you plan to be gone for an extended period of time. BONUS TIP: Ask a neighbor to put some of their trash in front of your home on garbage night.

Keep out of sight

Hide valuables and other big-ticket items that would be tempting to intruders peeking through the windows. Stow away one-of-a-kind collectibles, laptops and other electronics in a drawer or closet. BONUS TIP: Remember outdoor valuables. Roll your grill into the shed or garage. The same goes for bikes. Also, kids’ toys that lay out in the yard and don’t move all week, while not particularly valuable, can be a giveaway that you’re gone.

Smart locks

Keyless electronic locks not only make your day-to-day more convenient but offer peace of mind when you're away. If you choose a smart lock like the Schlage Encode Plus™, Schlage Encode™, Schlage Encode™ Smart WiFi Lever, or the Schlage Arrive™, you can check your home remotely and make sure your doors are locked at all times. You can even manage unique user codes if someone needs access to your home while you're away through the Schlage Home app.

BONUS TIP: Choose a smart lock with a built-in alarm that can notify you of a disturbance at the door, especially if you don’t already have a security system.

Cameras

If being able to check in and see what i’s happening at your home is important to you, consider installing a few WiFi-enabled security cameras. With remote capabilities, you can see any activity at your home no matter where you are in the world.

BONUS TIP: The Schlage Encode lock works with Ring Video Doorbell, so you can see who is at your door via the camera and unlock it remotely for trusted friends, family or service providers.

Garage security

Don't forget to secure your garage before you go. Think how easy it would be for someone to pull into the garage, close the door and gain access to the rest of the house, then load their vehicles with your belongings without the neighbors ever seeing a thing. With a smart garage door opener and a smart lock on the door betwen the garage and your home, you can be confident that the garage is not a weak spot for intruders. The Schlage Encode™ Smart WiFi Lever is the perfect solution for garage or side entries. Since these doors often feature a single-hole prep rather than the standard double-hole setup of a front door, this lever adds smart security without the need for extra drilling.

BONUS TIP: If you have someone stopping by to housesit or water the plants while you’re gone, ask them to park in the driveway to make it more obvious someone’s around.

If you follow these five tips, worrying about your home while you're away won't dampen your vacation. For more than 100 years, Schlage has offered durable door hardware in a range of unique style combinations designed to help make your home safer and your life more convenient. Browse more Schlage home security blogs to explore innovative solutions for keeping your home secure as you enjoy life.