Whether you're off for a long weekend in Cornwall, visiting family over the holidays, or travelling overseas to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it's nice to know your home is safe while you're away.
The trouble is that an empty house can be easier to spot than you might think. Curtains that never move, parcels left on the doorstep, or lights that stay off night after night can all signal that nobody is home. Even everyday issues like leaking pipes or electrical faults can go unnoticed until you return.
The good news is that learning how to protect your home when you are away doesn't have to be complicated. With a few smart habits and the right security tools, you can reduce risks, stay connected to your property, and enjoy your trip with greater peace of mind.
Make Your Home Look Lived-in While You Are Away
If you are thinking about how to protect your home when you are away, your goal should be to discourage burglars by not making your property look empty. Empty-looking houses are often seen as easier targets, especially during holidays, weekends, or football match days. Below are some methods you can use to create normal signs of daily activity.
Use timer lights and smart plugs
Place timer lights in rooms that are visible from outside, such as the living room or hallway. Set the lights to turn on during the evening and switch off later at night so the house looks naturally occupied. It is best to use LED lights because they are safer and more energy efficient.
You can also use smart plugs to control lamps, televisions, or radios from your phone. Try switching devices on at different times to copy your usual routine as closely as possible. This simple step helps create the impression that somebody is moving around inside your home.
Ask a trusted neighbour to help
Ask a trusted neighbour or close friend to check your property. They can help by opening and closing curtains, moving bins, or checking for any unusual activity outside your home. Even these small actions can help prevent your house from appearing abandoned.
If possible, ask them to park near your driveway occasionally or walk around the property from time to time. Insurance providers recommend letting someone trustworthy know when you will be away for several days, as this adds an extra layer of reassurance.
Stop obvious signs like piled-up post or deliveries
Before leaving your home, make arrangements for letters and parcels so they do not build up outside your door. Piled-up post, takeaway leaflets, or missed delivery notices are clear signs that nobody is home. Instead, ask someone you trust to collect your mail regularly.
You should also avoid leaving bins overflowing or garden areas looking neglected while you are away. If you expect parcels, try redirecting them to a collection point or arranging delivery for another day. Keeping the front of your property tidy helps your home appear occupied.
Strengthen Your Front Door, Windows, and Outdoor Security
Making your home look occupied is important, but you should also make it physically difficult for burglars to get inside. Many break-ins happen because doors, windows, or outdoor areas are not properly secured before the homeowner leaves. If you want to understand how to protect your home when you are away, here are some quick checks you can try:
Check all locks before leaving
Make sure all doors and windows are fully locked, including upstairs windows that are easy to forget. It’s recommended to use standard locks because they provide stronger protection. Even a short trip to a football match is enough time for burglars to take advantage of an unlocked entrance.
Install entry sensors on doors and windows
A smart entry sensor can help you monitor important entry points around your home while you are away. They can send you instant alerts to your phone whenever a door or window is opened unexpectedly. They add another layer of protection and help you react quickly to activities.
Use security sirens for extra protection
A loud alarm can help scare intruders away before they fully enter your property. Devices like the eufy security siren also work well with cameras, motion sensors, and entry sensors to warn you about unusual activity. The loud siren sound can especially discourage burglars near your home.
Install outdoor motion-sensor lighting
Motion-sensor lights can surprise intruders and make them feel exposed. Bright lighting around your driveways, gardens, and side entrances also helps your neighbours notice suspicious activity. Many modern systems use energy-efficient LED lighting, making them practical for long-term use.
Secure sheds, garages, and side gates
Do not focus only on the main house because burglars may also target your garages, sheds, or rear garden access points. These outdoor areas often contain expensive tools, bikes, or equipment that may attract burglars. Always lock your outdoor buildings and use strong padlocks.
Trim hedges and overgrown plants
Large bushes and overgrown plants near windows or doors can create hiding spots for intruders. Trim hedges regularly so your neighbours and passersby can clearly see the front of your property. A tidy outdoor space also makes your home look maintained and actively occupied.
Avoid hiding spare keys outside
Hiding keys under mats, flower pots, or garden ornaments may seem convenient, but burglars often know about this and check those places. Instead of hiding them near the door, leave a spare key only with someone you fully trust, such as a close family member or neighbour.
Install Security Cameras to Protect Your Home When You Are Away
If you’re wondering how to protect your home when you are away, smart security cameras are one of the most effective solutions.
With live video, motion alerts, smart detection, and remote app access, you can check what’s happening around your property while you are travelling, attending events, or spending time away from home.
For homeowners who want reliable outdoor monitoring without complicated daily management, eufy offers security cameras with local storage, smart alerts, and no monthly subscription fees.
eufyCam S4
The eufyCam S4 is a strong option for homeowners who want wide outdoor coverage with detailed close-up tracking. Its 2-in-1 triple-lens Bullet-PTZ design combines a fixed 4K wide-angle camera with a lower dual 2K PTZ camera, so you can monitor the wider scene while still tracking movement around entrances, driveways, gardens, or larger outdoor spaces.
It also supports auto framing and dual radar and PIR motion detection, helping reduce false alerts and keep important activity in view. The detachable SolarPlus™ 2.0 solar panel helps keep the camera powered with regular direct sunlight, while 24/7 recording is available when connected to direct power.
For more advanced recognition, including family and stranger identification, it can be paired with HomeBase S380.
Best for: Homeowners who want wide outdoor coverage, close-up tracking, and flexible solar-powered monitoring around larger outdoor areas.
Key Features:
- 4K fixed wide-angle view + dual 2K PTZ tracking
- Bullet-to-PTZ tracking and auto-framing
- Radar and PIR motion detection
- SolarPlus™ 2.0 detachable solar panel
- Red and blue warning lights with 105 dB siren
- 24/7 recording when connected to direct power
- HomeBase S380 compatible
SoloCam S340
The SoloCam S340 is a more affordable wire-free option for everyday home protection. It works well around front doors, side entrances, gardens, and driveways, especially if you want flexible installation without running cables. Its dual-camera system gives you both a wide view and a closer look at important details, helping you monitor people, vehicles, and unusual movement around your property.
With 360° pan-and-tilt coverage, 8× hybrid zoom, and automatic motion tracking, SoloCam S340 can follow activity instead of staying fixed in one direction. At night, colour night vision, a spotlight, and a siren help improve visibility and deter unwanted visitors. You can also view live footage in the eufy app, use two-way audio, and receive smart alerts while you are away.
Best for: Homeowners who want flexible, wire-free outdoor monitoring while they are away from home, travelling, or attending events.
Key Features:
- Wire-free installation with solar charging
- 3K + 2K dual-camera viewing
- 360° pan-and-tilt coverage
- 8× hybrid zoom
- Automatic motion tracking
- Human and vehicle detection
- Spotlight, siren, and two-way audio
Floodlight Camera E340
The Floodlight Camera E340 combines bright outdoor lighting with smart camera monitoring, making it ideal for driveways, gates, side paths, and entrances. Its 2,000-lumen floodlight can brighten dark areas, make movement easier to see, and help deter intruders by keeping exposed spaces well lit.
Alongside the floodlight, its dual-camera system provides a wide 3K view and closer telephoto detail, while 360° pan-and-tilt coverage helps reduce blind spots. Because it uses a wired AC power setup, it is well suited to permanent outdoor installation.
It also supports 24/7 recording with a microSD card or HomeBase S380, so you won’t miss critical footage if something happens while you are away.
Best for: Homeowners who want security lighting and continuous outdoor monitoring around driveways, entrances, gates, or parking areas.
Key Features:
- 2,000-lumen dimmable floodlight
- 3K + 2K dual-camera monitoring
- 360° pan-and-tilt coverage
- 24/7 recording with microSD card or HomeBase S380
- Human, vehicle, and pet detection
- Dual-band Wi-Fi 6
- IP65 weather protection
- Supports up to 128GB microSD storage
Be Careful What You Share Online While You Are Away
Knowing how to protect your home when you are away is not only about locking doors or installing security cameras. What you share online can also affect your home security more than you realise. Posting too much information publicly can tell strangers that your property is empty.
Before leaving for a holiday, football match, or overnight trip, avoid announcing your plans on social media. Real-time posts, location tags, and public check-ins can make it obvious that nobody is currently at home. It is usually safer to upload photos and updates after you return.
You should also review your privacy settings and limit who can see your posts, stories, and personal information online. Turning off automatic location sharing can help stop strangers from tracking where you are or how long you have been away from home.
Protect Your Home from Leaks, Fire Risks, and Electrical Problems
Home security is not only about preventing burglary. Water leaks, electrical faults, and fire hazards can also cause serious damage when nobody is home. When learning how to protect your home when you are away, include checking these important safety risks before you leave:
- Turn off unnecessary appliances: Unplug devices that do not need to remain running while you are away. This helps you reduce fire risks caused by overheating or electrical faults. It can also help lower your energy usage.
- Check taps, pipes, and water connections: Small leaks can become a major problem if water continues flowing for hours or days without anyone noticing. Before leaving, inspect your kitchen, bathroom, and utility areas carefully.
- Test smoke alarms before leaving: Make sure your smoke alarms are working properly and have enough battery power before you leave. Smoke alarms provide early warnings if a fire starts unexpectedly while nobody is home. Smart smoke detectors can also send alerts directly to your phone, so you can react faster.
- Store flammable materials safely: Keep petrol, paint, cleaning chemicals, and similar items away from heat sources. Your garage and shed should also remain properly ventilated. These precautions can prevent dangerous accidents.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to protect your home when you are away can help you feel more confident whenever you leave your property for work, holidays, football matches, or overnight trips. From making your home look occupied to strengthening entry points, preventing fire risks, and being careful what you share online, every action contributes to your home’s safety.
Smart security camera systems, entry sensors, and security sirens can also give you extra peace of mind by helping you monitor your property even when you are not there. By taking preventative measures, you can travel, attend football matches, or enjoy holidays with greater confidence and less worry.
FAQs
How can I protect my home while away?
The best way to protect your home while away is to combine physical security, smart technology, and simple daily habits. Lock all your doors and windows properly, use timer lights, and avoid obvious signs that your home is empty. Smart security cameras and motion lights can help you monitor your home remotely and discourage intruders. It is also helpful to ask a trusted neighbour to collect your posts and deliveries or keep an eye on your property.
Do security cameras deter burglars?
Yes, security cameras can deter burglars, especially those with smart motion detection and an intelligent alarm system. For example, the eufyCam S4 can provide instant analysis, genuine threat identification, and decisive action. This can instantly differentiate your family from strangers and detect pets, humans, and vehicles. It also uses radar and PIR sensors to deliver accurate motion alerts for fewer false alarms, so you’ll only get notified on your phone when there’s real danger.
Should I use cloud or local storage for security cameras?
Both cloud and local storage have advantages, and the best choice depends on your preferences and budget. A cloud storage security camera usually requires Wi-Fi to access recordings remotely, even if the camera is damaged or stolen. However, it usually requires monthly subscription fees. Local storage keeps recordings directly on the device or home system, which many people prefer for privacy and lower long-term costs. Some users also choose systems that support both options.
What should I check before leaving for a football match?
Before leaving for a football match, make sure all your doors and windows are locked securely, including side gates and garages. Turn on any timer lights or smart security systems you have so your house still appears occupied during the evening. Avoid posting publicly about your plans before returning home, especially if you will be away for several hours. You should also check your appliances, taps, and alarm systems before leaving to prevent electrical faults or leaks.
