# Home Security Tips for When You're on Vacation in 2026 > Heading out of town? Here are the smartest, most practical ways to protect your home while you're away, from smart lighting to camera monitoring and a few habits burglars really do notice. - URL: https://vivint.security/resources/home-security-tips-for-vacations - Category: Home Security - Author: Olivia Chen, Connectivity & Smart Hub Writer - Published: 2026-07-27 - Reading time: 3 min - Keywords: home security tips for vacation, vacation home security, protect home while traveling, home security while on vacation, smart home security tips --- Packing for vacation usually means checking off a list: passports, chargers, sunscreen. But one item deserves just as much attention as anything in your suitcase, and that is making sure your home is actually protected while you're gone. Burglars often look for the same telltale signs: overflowing mailboxes, dark houses every single night, no cars in the driveway for days. The good news is that with a little planning and the right home security tips for vacation, you can make your house look lived-in and well protected, even from thousands of miles away. Here is how to do it right in 2026. ## Why Vacations Are a Prime Time for Break-Ins According to the [FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting data](https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/additional-resources/ucr-property-crime), property crimes including burglary remain among the most commonly reported offenses in the United States, and many happen during daytime hours when homes are empty. Summer and holiday travel seasons tend to see spikes in burglary attempts, since routines are disrupted and homes sit unattended for longer stretches. The [National Crime Prevention Council](https://www.ncpc.org/resources/home-neighborhood-safety/) also points out that most burglars are opportunists. They are not looking for a challenge. They are looking for the easiest house on the block. That means your goal before any trip is simple: don't be the easiest house on the block. ## Before You Leave: A Pre-Vacation Security Checklist ### 1. Don't broadcast your trip It is tempting to post vacation photos in real time, but sharing your location while you are away is one of the easiest ways to tip off the wrong person. Save the photo dump for when you're back home. The same goes for out-of-office replies that mention exact dates and locations. ### 2. Stop mail and packages from piling up A stuffed mailbox or a stack of packages on the porch is one of the most obvious signs nobody is home. Put a hold on mail through the USPS, ask a neighbor to grab packages, or use a delivery locker service so nothing sits outside for days. ### 3. Put lights and TVs on a schedule Smart plugs and smart lighting can turn lights and televisions on and off at realistic times, mimicking someone actually moving through the house. This is far more convincing than leaving a single lamp on 24/7, which is an old trick most burglars already know to look for. ### 4. Lock every door and window, including the garage It sounds obvious, but a large share of break-ins happen through unlocked entry points. Walk through your home before you leave and physically check every door, window, and garage entry, not just the front door. ### 5. Ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye out A neighbor who parks in your driveway occasionally, takes out your trash bins on schedule, or just checks in visually can make a real difference. Local police departments often encourage this kind of informal neighborhood watch, and many will do a periodic patrol check if you let them know you'll be away. ## Use Smart Home Security to Watch Your House While You're Gone This is where technology genuinely changes the game. You no longer have to guess what is happening at home while you're on the road. **Security cameras with mobile alerts.** Modern [security cameras](/security-cameras) let you check live video from your phone no matter where you are in the world. If something triggers motion detection, you get a real-time alert instead of finding out days later. **Video doorbells.** A doorbell camera lets you see and even speak to anyone at your front door, whether it's a delivery driver, a neighbor, or someone you don't recognize. That two-way talk feature alone can be a strong deterrent, since most people assume someone is home when a voice answers. **Smart locks.** Instead of hiding a spare key under a mat (please don't do this), a smart lock lets you grant temporary access codes to a house sitter or family member, and you can see exactly when the door was locked and unlocked. **Professional monitoring.** A monitored [home security](/home-security) system means trained professionals are watching for alarms around the clock, not just when you happen to check your phone. If a sensor is triggered, monitoring staff can contact you and dispatch help even if you're on a beach with no signal. **Automation routines.** With [home automation](/home-automation), you can set "away mode" routines that adjust lighting, thermostats, and locks all at once, so your home behaves like it normally would even with nobody inside. ## During the Trip: Stay Connected Without Obsessing You should not have to spend your vacation glued to a security app, but a quick daily check-in is reasonable. Look for: - Any unexpected motion alerts from cameras or doorbell sensors - Confirmation that doors and windows remain locked - Notifications from your alarm system if it was armed before you left The [Ring/Consumer safety research](https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/protecting-your-home-security-systems) and general FTC guidance on home security systems both emphasize that a monitored system paired with visible cameras is one of the more effective combinations for deterring and quickly responding to break-ins, compared to unmonitored setups alone. ## Small Habits That Make a Big Difference A few low-tech habits still matter just as much as smart devices: - Leave a car in the driveway if possible, or ask a neighbor to park theirs there occasionally - Set your thermostat to a normal seasonal range rather than shutting it off completely, which can also prevent pipe issues in colder months - Trim any bushes or landscaping near windows and doors before you leave, since overgrown landscaping gives intruders places to hide - Avoid leaving spare keys in obvious hiding spots ## What to Do If You Suspect Something Is Wrong While Away If a camera or sensor alert makes you think something is off, do not try to handle it yourself from a distance in a way that puts anyone at risk. Contact local police for a welfare check on your property, and if you have professional monitoring, alert your provider immediately so they can coordinate. If you're evaluating your current setup or want a system that actually gives you peace of mind before your next trip, our team can walk you through options built for real-world travel schedules. Call 866-417-1540 or visit [Contact Vivint](/contact-vivint) to talk through what makes sense for your home. ## Common Questions **How can I make my house look occupied while on vacation?** Use smart plugs or smart lighting to turn lights and a TV on and off at realistic times, keep a car in the driveway if possible, and have a neighbor collect mail and packages so nothing piles up outside. **Is it safe to post vacation pictures on social media?** It's safer to wait until you're back home to share photos and check-ins. Posting in real time can signal to a wider audience, including people you don't know well, that your home is empty. **Do security cameras actually deter burglars?** Visible security cameras and doorbell cameras are widely considered a deterrent since they increase the risk of being identified. Pairing cameras with professional monitoring adds a faster response if something does happen while you're away. ## Final Thoughts The best home security tips for vacation combine simple common sense, like stopping mail delivery and locking every window, with smart technology that lets you actually see and respond to what's happening at home. You don't need to check your phone constantly, but you should know that if something goes wrong, you'll find out quickly and have a system in place to respond. A little preparation before you leave means you can actually relax once you get where you're going. ## Get a Free Vivint Quote Ready to protect what matters most? Get a free, no obligation quote on a Vivint smart home security system, complete with professional installation and 24/7 monitoring. [Request your free quote](/contact-vivint) or call [866-417-1540](tel:8664171540) to talk with a Vivint security specialist today. ## FAQ ### How can I make my house look occupied while on vacation? Use smart plugs or smart lighting to turn lights and a TV on and off at realistic times, keep a car in the driveway if possible, and have a neighbor collect mail and packages so nothing piles up outside. ### Is it safe to post vacation pictures on social media? It's safer to wait until you're back home to share photos and check-ins. Posting in real time can signal to a wider audience, including people you don't know well, that your home is empty. ### Do security cameras actually deter burglars? Visible security cameras and doorbell cameras are widely considered a deterrent since they increase the risk of being identified. Pairing cameras with professional monitoring adds a faster response if something does happen while you're away. ## Sources - FBI Uniform Crime Reporting - Property Crime: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/additional-resources/ucr-property-crime - National Crime Prevention Council - Home & Neighborhood Safety: https://www.ncpc.org/resources/home-neighborhood-safety/ - FTC - Protecting Your Home: Security Systems: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/protecting-your-home-security-systems --- Published by Vivint, https://vivint.security (smart home security). Call 866-417-1540.