Houses often become more vulnerable during holiday trips because empty properties are easy targets. Without anyone around, minor issues can quickly turn into major disasters. Burglary, parcel theft, property damage, and electrical or plumbing emergencies are common risks when leaving a house empty. Preparing your home before departure protects your belongings and saves you from costly repairs.
With a combination of simple precautions and smart home technology, you can enjoy your trip while keeping your home protected.
Start With a Pre-Holiday Home Security Checklist
Taking a few minutes to complete a final walk-through prevents simple mistakes that might invite unwanted visitors into your property. Understanding the broader picture of home burglary statistics can help you prioritise which risks to address first.
Lock All Doors and Windows
Before you pack the car, double-check every entry point.
- Walk through your house and verify that the front door, back door, garage door, ground-floor windows, and sliding doors are fully secured. Do not forget upper-floor windows, as thieves can use ladders or trees to reach them.
- Always remove any spare keys hidden outside under mats, rocks, or flowerpots. Experienced criminals know all the common hiding spots.
- If your locks are old or loose, consider upgrading them. Installing smart locks with remote access or keyless entry systems allows you to check your lock status from your phone, giving you instant verification that your house is locked tight.
Secure Your Garage and Outdoor Areas
- Your garage often contains expensive tools, vehicles, and direct entry points to your living space. Close and lock garage doors completely, and disconnect electronic openers if you want to prevent remote code hacking.
- Move valuable outdoor equipment inside. Store your bicycles, tools, and garden equipment in a locked shed or garage.
- Look around your yard and secure your fences and gates with heavy-duty padlocks.
- Leaving items out can reveal that a home is unattended, or worse, tools like ladders and screwdrivers can provide easy access points for someone trying to break in.
How to Make Your Home Look Occupied While You Are Away
Criminals watch neighbourhoods for empty houses. Creating the illusion that someone is still inside your house is a powerful way to deter burglars and keep your property safe. The AIC's research on burglary prevention confirms that occupied-looking properties with visible activity are significantly less likely to be selected as targets.
Use Smart Lighting to Create a Lived-In Appearance
Leaving a single porch light on for a week straight actually signals that you are gone. Instead, use smart plugs or smart bulbs to schedule lights to turn on and off automatically.
Set timers so your living room lights turn on in the evening and turn off at your normal bedtime. You can also program a kitchen light to turn on in the morning. This creates normal activity patterns that onlookers can see from the street. This method also saves energy compared with constantly running lights for days at a time.
Manage Mail, Packages, and Deliveries
An overflowing letterbox or a pile of boxes on the porch is a clear sign of an empty house. Before you leave, contact Australia Post to pause your mail delivery until you return.
For online orders, adjust your shopping deliveries so nothing arrives while you are travelling. If you have unexpected deliveries, ask trusted neighbours to collect parcels immediately. Avoid leaving parcels visible outside where passers-by can spot them from the footpath. Our guide on porch privacy ideas to protect your packages covers practical ways to keep your doorstep clear.
Maintain Your Yard and Exterior
An unkempt yard shows that a house is temporarily abandoned. If you plan to be away for a long time, arrange for a local lawn care service to mow your grass.
Talk to your neighbours and ask them to move your wheelie bins back to your house after collection day. Keeping outdoor areas maintained keeps your home looking normal and occupied, which discourages people from targeting your property.
Install Security Cameras for Remote Home Monitoring
Modern technology allows you to keep an eye on your property from anywhere. Setting up outdoor surveillance cameras ensures you always know what is happening at your house.
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Why Security Cameras Are Useful During Holidays
Traditional security only protects your home when you are nearby or relies on loud alarms that people might ignore. Modern smart security cameras allow homeowners to check their property remotely using a smartphone app.
These devices send instant motion alerts directly to your phone if they detect movement. You can monitor entrances and outdoor spaces in real time or review recorded footage when needed to see exactly who visited your property. The NSW Police Force home safety guidance recommends security cameras and sensor lights as two of the most effective deterrents for residential properties.
Choose the Right Security Camera Placement
To get the most out of your security camera system, place your devices at key entry points around your house.
- Entry Door: A dedicated entry door camera allows you to monitor visitors, prevent parcel theft, and record suspicious activity around your main entrance.
- Driveway: Placing outdoor security cameras for your home above the garage or driveway helps you watch vehicles and detect unexpected movement near your cars.
- Backyard: Position wireless outdoor security cameras in the backyard to protect less visible areas like back patio doors or ground-floor windows.
- Indoor Areas: Set up a remote camera inside your home to check on pets and monitor important rooms like hallways or home offices.
Look for Smart Security Features
When selecting your equipment, look for features that improve outdoor monitoring cameras.
- Choose options with reliable motion detection and human detection to avoid false alarms from wind or passing animals. Night vision is critical for clear video quality after dark.
- Two-way audio allows you to speak to visitors through the camera, while remote app access keeps you connected.
- Additionally, look for local storage options so your video files stay safe without monthly cloud fees.
- High-quality wireless outdoor security cameras provide convenient remote monitoring without complicated installation.
While outdoor cameras cover your property perimeter, an indoor camera adds a second line of sight for when you are away. A model like the eufy Indoor Cam S350 — with 360° pan-and-tilt, 4K dual-camera clarity, and AI-powered tracking — can sweep across your main living spaces from a single shelf position. If an outdoor motion alert goes off, you can immediately switch to the indoor feed to see if anyone has entered the house, or simply check on pets left at home.
eufy's outdoor camera range offers three tiers to match different property sizes and trip durations.
- The eufyCam S4 is the premium choice — built for larger homes and extended holidays — with advanced motion detection, extended battery life, and crisp 4K resolution so you can check every corner of your property remotely.
- The eufyCam E42 is a mid-range option with flexible multi-camera kits, ideal for covering multiple entry points without stretching your budget.
- For shorter trips or smaller spaces, the eufyCam C37 delivers dependable wireless monitoring at an entry-level price. All three work within the same eufy app, meaning you can view your front door, driveway, and backyard from one screen — no matter which tier fits your needs.
Practical Strategies to Protect Your Home From Package Theft
The rise of online deliveries has created new opportunities for opportunistic thieves. Protecting your doorstep keeps your items safe and prevents criminals from noticing your absence.
Install a Video Doorbell
A video doorbell acts as a digital guard for your front verandah. These devices allow you to see exactly who approaches your door, and they send visitor notifications the moment someone steps onto your property. You can monitor deliveries remotely from your holiday spot. If a delivery driver arrives, you can communicate with them through two-way audio to give specific instructions on where to hide the parcel out of sight.
Create a Delivery Plan Before Travelling
- Use secure delivery locations like local parcel lockers or retail holding centres if you must order items while travelling.
- Ask trusted neighbours for help monitoring your porch and picking up unexpected shipments. Avoiding letting parcels accumulate on your doorstep removes the visual cues that invite crime to your neighbourhood.
Prepare Your Home for Unexpected Property Emergencies
Theft is not the only hazard your home faces while you are gone. Internal issues can cause severe damage if they are left unaddressed for days.
Prevent Water Damage
If you are travelling for more than a few days, turn off the main water supply valve to eliminate the risk of flooding. Look for existing leaks or drips and fix them before your departure to avoid returning to a costly mould or water problem.
Reduce Fire and Electrical Risks
Electrical malfunctions can trigger fires when no one is home to extinguish them.
- Unplug unnecessary electronics like TVs, computers, coffee makers, and small appliances to protect them from power surges.
- Check your smoke detectors to ensure the batteries are working properly.
- Finally, avoid leaving risky appliances like washing machines or dishwashers running when you step out the door.
Avoid Sharing Too Much About Your Holiday Online
Burglars do not just scout physical neighbourhoods; they also look for opportunities online. Managing your digital footprint is an essential part of keeping your home secure.
Be Careful With Social Media Posts
It is tempting to share your travel experiences with friends, but public updates can reveal that your home is empty. Avoid announcing your exact travel dates publicly on internet forums or social media sites.
Instead, save your stories and share your holiday photos after returning safely to your house. Review your privacy settings to ensure only close, trusted friends can see your location updates, preventing strangers from tracking your empty property. The AIC's findings on proactive burglary prevention highlight that oversharing travel information online is an increasingly common factor that helps offenders identify unoccupied homes.
Enjoy Your Holiday Knowing Your Home Is Protected
Basic preparation, like locking your windows and pausing your mail, can prevent many common household problems. Adding smart security devices provides an extra layer of protection, while remote monitoring helps homeowners stay connected to their homes wherever they are. An extra layer of protection can be added to your holiday plans with eufy's outdoor camera range — from the premium S4 to the value-focused C37 — paired with an indoor camera like the S350 for interior visibility. Together, they help you stay connected to your home wherever you travel.
FAQs
Q1: What should I do before leaving my house for the holiday?
Lock all doors and windows, including the garage and any external access points. Stop mail and parcel deliveries so they do not pile up on your porch. Check your security systems to ensure they are online, and use timers to make your home appear occupied.
Q2: Are security cameras worth installing before going on holiday?
Yes. They provide remote monitoring and send activity alerts directly to your phone. This technology helps you check your property anytime and provides recorded footage if an incident occurs while you are away. Depending on your property size and budget, options range from entry-level wireless cameras to premium multi-camera kits with local storage.
Q3: How can I make my house look occupied while I'm away?
Use scheduled smart lighting to mimic your daily routine. Ask neighbours to check in, move your wheelie bins, and pick up random flyers. Keep your outdoor areas maintained so the house looks cared for and lived-in.
Q4: Should I turn off my water before going on holiday?
This depends on your trip length and home conditions. For extended trips, consider shutting off the main water supply to prevent flooding from burst pipes. Always check for minor leaks before leaving.
