Holiday trips are exciting, but nobody wants to come home to bad news. An empty house can stand out, especially when mail piles up and the lights stay dark for days. The steps below show you how to protect your home while on vacation, most of them free or cheap, and several of them using smart gadgets you may already own.
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Use this as a checklist the week before you leave.
How to protect your home while on vacation: the short answer
Make your home look lived in, lock every entry and keep an eye on it remotely. Stop mail and deliveries from piling up, put lights on timers, and ask a trusted neighbor to check in. In the US, USPS Hold Mail can keep your mail at your local post office for up to 30 days.
Why an empty home stands out
Most break-ins are quick and opportunistic. Signs that nobody is home, such as overflowing mail, packages on the porch, dark windows every night or a snow-covered driveway, can make a house look like an easy target. The goal is simple: remove those signs.
Your pre-trip security checklist
| Task | When to do it | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Hold mail and pause deliveries | 1 week before | Free |
| Set lamps on smart plugs or timers | 2 days before | Low |
| Test cameras and doorbell alerts | 2 days before | Free if you own them |
| Ask a neighbor to check in | 1 week before | Free |
| Lock doors, windows and garage | Day you leave | Free |
| Unplug small electronics | Day you leave | Free |
10 smart steps before you leave
- Hold your mail. Request a mail hold online and pause newspaper and package deliveries.
- Use smart plugs or timers. Set a living room lamp and a bedroom lamp to switch on and off at normal times.
- Turn on away mode. Many smart light apps can vary the schedule so it looks natural.
- Check your cameras. Make sure motion alerts reach your phone and the app works on mobile data.
- Lock everything. Check doors, windows, the garage and any side gates.
- Use your smart lock wisely. Give a trusted person a temporary code instead of a spare key under the mat.
- Ask a neighbor for help. They can grab surprise packages, shovel snow or park in your driveway.
- Keep trips off social media. Share your photos after you get home.
- Unplug what you can. Small electronics and chargers do not need to stay plugged in.
- Set the thermostat sensibly. Keep the heat low but on in winter so pipes do not freeze.
Keep an eye on things while you are away
Check your camera and doorbell alerts once or twice a day, but do not panic at every notification. Most are delivery drivers, animals or passing cars. If you see something truly suspicious, call local police rather than confronting anyone. A smart thermostat or water leak sensor can also warn you about problems like a broken furnace or a burst pipe before they become disasters.
Quick FAQ
Should I leave lights on all the time? No. Lights on 24 hours a day look odd. Timers that copy your normal routine look far more natural.
Is it safe to post vacation photos? It is safer to wait until you are home. Public posts can show that the house is empty.
What if a package arrives anyway? Ask a neighbor to collect it, or use a delivery hold or pickup option where available.
Protect your home while on vacation: a quick recap
- Look lived in: hold mail, use light timers, ask a neighbor for help.
- Lock up: every door, window and the garage.
- Stay connected: working cameras and alerts on your phone.
- Stay quiet: keep travel plans off social media until you return.
Final thoughts
It only takes an hour or two to protect your home while on vacation, and it lets you enjoy the trip without worrying. Start a few days before you leave so nothing gets rushed. For more on keeping packages safe this season, read our guide on how to stop porch pirates.
Your turn: what is the one thing you always do before a trip? Add it in the comments and help other readers build their own checklist.
This guide uses USPS information and general home security advice, not our own testing. Services and features vary, so check your local options.
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