Summer Travel Season is Here — Here’s How to Keep Your Home Safe While You’re Away

As the school year wraps up and the weather heats up, summer is almost here — and with it comes the excitement of planning vacations. But with every trip away comes an empty home, and an empty home doesn’t always go unnoticed. As travel plans pick up this season, a few simple steps can go a long way in reducing risk and adding an extra layer of security while you’re away. With a mix of everyday habits and smart technology, you can enjoy your vacation without the added stress of wondering whether your home is safe.

Looking Home, Even When You’re Not

One of the easiest ways to protect your home while traveling is to keep it looking visually active. If you don’t have family or friends available to house-sit, that can feel challenging — but smart technology makes it possible to give your home the appearance of being lived-in, even when you’re miles away. Consider investing in motion-activated light fixtures like floodlights or security lights that trigger when motion is detected, or set them on timers to turn on and off throughout the day. You can do the same for interior lights — lamps or smaller accent lights can be programmed to switch on and off at specific times, and many can even be controlled remotely right from your phone.

Securing the Overlooked Areas of Your Home

Most people remember to lock the front door and secure the backyard, but the garage and secondary entrances are often the weakest points in home security. If you use a garage remote, always bring it inside the home rather than leaving it in your car — especially if your car is parked in the driveway. A remote left in an unattended vehicle is an easy opportunity for someone to gain access. It’s also worth looking into installing a stronger door or deadbolt lock between the garage and the interior of your home, so that even if someone gets into the garage, entry into the house itself is still a barrier. Don’t overlook sliding doors and other secondary entrances either — these are often under-secured simply because they require getting past another barrier first. Reinforcing them with additional locks is a smart and simple precaution.

Embracing Today’s Smart Security Tools

It’s always a good idea to explore the latest in home security technology. Many newer homes are even being built with integrated security features — cameras, smart panels, and mounted devices designed to blend seamlessly into the home. Smart cameras are now a staple in many households, whether in the form of video doorbells or compact indoor and outdoor monitors, and most can be linked directly to your phone so you’re notified the moment anything is detected. Smart locks are another great investment — they can be controlled remotely and set to grant access to specific trusted individuals, giving you full visibility into who enters your home and when. There has also been a growing wave of subscription-based home security services that allow you to monitor and manage your home’s security from any device, no matter where you are.

When it comes time to pack your bags and head out for summer vacation, you shouldn’t have to carry the weight of worrying about your home. With the right precautions in place, you can leave knowing your home is secure and that you have full visibility from wherever you are. And the good news? These added security measures don’t just serve you during vacation season — they’re lasting improvements that bring peace of mind year-round.

_{Original Article by Kimberly Quevedo of Blue Matter}