How to Keep Your Home Secure While You Travel
Most home security comes down to making your place look occupied and hard to enter. These steps work in apartments and houses and need no installation.
Lock up properly
Check that doors and windows are locked, including balcony doors. Never leave a spare key in an obvious spot.
Make it look occupied
- Use timers or smart plugs for a lamp or radio
- Ask a neighbor to collect mail and parcels
- Leave blinds in a normal position
Be careful online
Wait until you are back to share travel photos, and avoid announcing exact dates. Public posts can tell strangers your home is empty.
Consider a camera
A battery-powered camera or video doorbell can send alerts to your phone. If you rent, choose a model that does not need drilling and check your lease before you install anything.
Tell your landlord
Let your landlord or building manager know when you will be away, and leave a contact number for emergencies such as a water leak.
Check your insurance
Renters insurance and its coverage details vary, so read your policy so you know what is covered if something goes wrong.
A few small precautions are usually enough to give you peace of mind while you are away.
