Heading out on vacation should be exciting—not stressful. Unfortunately, an empty home can become an attractive target for burglars, package thieves, and vandals. The good news is that a few simple precautions can dramatically reduce your risk.
Whether you’re leaving for a weekend getaway or a two-week family vacation, these vacation home security tips will help keep your Louisville-area home protected until you return.
1. Make Your Home Look Occupied
Most burglars look for easy opportunities. If a home appears empty for several days, it may become a target.
Before leaving:
- Use smart lights on automated schedules.
- Leave blinds partially open.
- Ask a trusted neighbor to collect mail and packages.
- Park a vehicle in the driveway if possible.
Smart lighting schedules make it appear that someone is home, even when you’re hundreds of miles away.
2. Lock Every Entry Point
It sounds obvious, but many homeowners forget to secure:
- Garage doors
- Basement windows
- Sliding patio doors
- Side gates
- Storage sheds
Before leaving, walk around your home and verify every entry point is secured.
3. Check Your Security Cameras
If your cameras haven’t been cleaned in months, now is the time.
Before your trip:
- Clean the lenses.
- Confirm recordings are working.
- Check your Wi-Fi connection.
- Verify motion notifications are enabled.
- Make sure every entrance is covered.
Remote viewing lets you check on your property anytime from your smartphone.
4. Arm Your Security System
This is one of the easiest—and most effective—ways to protect your home.
Modern smart security systems allow you to:
- Arm or disarm remotely
- Receive instant alerts
- View live cameras
- Lock smart doors
- Monitor activity from anywhere
If you accidentally forget to arm your system, many smart systems allow you to do it remotely.
5. Consider Professional Monitoring
A security system is most effective when someone is always watching.
Professional monitoring provides:
- 24/7 emergency response
- Police dispatch when needed
- Fire monitoring
- Carbon monoxide alerts
- Emergency communication
Even if you’re on a beach with your phone turned off, trained monitoring professionals can respond to emergencies immediately. Professional monitoring also helps protect against fire, smoke, water damage, and other emergencies—not just break-ins.
6. Pause Social Media Posts
It can be tempting to post vacation photos in real time.
Instead:
- Wait until you return.
- Share photos afterward.
- Avoid publicly announcing that your home is empty.
7. Automate Your Home
Smart home automation can help create the appearance that someone is home.
Automate:
- Interior lighting
- Exterior lighting
- Smart locks
- Garage doors
- Thermostat schedules
Automation not only improves security but also makes returning home more comfortable.
8. Don’t Forget About Fire and Water Protection
Vacation security isn’t just about burglars.
Smart sensors can notify you of:
- Smoke
- Fire
- Carbon monoxide
- Water leaks
- Frozen pipes
Early detection can prevent thousands of dollars in damage.
Vacation Security Checklist
Before leaving:
✅ Lock every door and window
✅ Arm your security system
✅ Test security cameras
✅ Enable mobile alerts
✅ Schedule smart lights
✅ Pause package deliveries
✅ Ask a trusted neighbor to check your home
✅ Turn off unnecessary appliances
✅ Double-check the garage door
Why Louisville Homeowners Choose Laswell
At Laswell, we help homeowners throughout Louisville and Southern Indiana protect what matters most.
Our residential security solutions include:
- Smart security systems
- Indoor and outdoor security cameras
- Video doorbells
- Smart locks
- Professional monitoring
- Home automation
- Mobile app control
Whether you’re gone for a weekend or several weeks, you’ll always know what’s happening at home.
Going on Vacation?
Before you leave town, let Laswell make sure your home is protected.
Schedule a free security consultation and learn how smart security, automation, and 24/7 professional monitoring can give you peace of mind while you’re away.
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