Holiday travel and home security guide

Before you travel, a few deliberate steps can reduce the risk of break-ins, water damage, heating problems, and missed deliveries. The most effective approach combines physical security, smart-home monitoring, utility precautions, help from someone you trust, and current documentation of your belongings. This checklist can help you leave with greater confidence and return to a home that is safe, secure, and ready for you.

Start With Doors, Windows, and Exterior Locks

Walk through your home as if you were securing it for the first time. Lock every exterior door, including garage-entry, basement, patio, and side doors. Confirm that deadbolts engage fully and that sliding doors have a secondary lock, dowel, or security bar in place.

Check accessible windows as well. Close and lock them, paying special attention to ground-floor windows, basement windows, and windows near decks or ladders. Do not leave spare keys under mats, planters, or decorative objects. If a trusted person needs access, provide a key directly or create a temporary smart-lock code that can be removed when you return.

Outside, put away ladders, tools, and other items that could help someone access upper windows or doors. Secure bicycles, grills, and outdoor equipment, and make sure the garage door closes completely.

Test Your Alarm and Smart-Home Devices

If you use a monitored alarm system, test it before departure and verify that your contact information is current. Tell the monitoring company about your travel dates if that is part of your service plan, and ensure the people listed as emergency contacts can be reached.

Smart devices can provide useful visibility while you are away, but they should support—not replace—basic security. Check that doorbell cameras, exterior cameras, smart locks, water-leak sensors, smoke detectors, and thermostats are connected and charged or have fresh batteries. Review alerts on your phone so you know which notifications require action.

Use timers or smart lighting schedules to make the home appear occupied. Vary lights in a few rooms rather than leaving one lamp on continuously. Avoid posting real-time travel updates publicly, since those posts can unintentionally signal that no one is home.

Manage Mail, Packages, and Deliveries

An overflowing mailbox and packages left on a porch can make an empty home more obvious. For a longer trip, consider placing mail on hold through the postal service. For shorter travel, ask a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member to collect mail regularly.

Pause recurring deliveries when possible, or redirect packages to a secure pickup location. If a delivery cannot be changed, arrange for your trusted contact to retrieve it promptly. Clear instructions help: let them know where packages are usually left and how to reach you if something unexpected arrives.

Protect Against Water Damage Before You Leave

Water losses can become expensive quickly when no one is home to notice a leak. Before leaving, inspect visible supply lines under sinks, behind toilets, near the washing machine, and around the water heater for drips, corrosion, or loose connections. Address concerns before your trip rather than hoping they will wait.

If your home will be vacant for an extended period, consider shutting off the main water supply, especially if local conditions and your plumbing system make that appropriate. Know where the main shutoff valve is and test it in advance so you are not trying to locate it during an emergency. If you are unsure whether shutting off water could affect a sprinkler system, boiler, or other equipment, ask a qualified plumber or service professional.

For added protection, turn off individual supply valves to appliances such as the washing machine when practical. A water-leak sensor placed near appliances, sinks, and the water heater can alert you early if a problem develops.

Set Heating and Cooling for a Safe, Steady Home

Do not turn your heating or cooling system completely off just to save energy. Set the thermostat to a reasonable, steady temperature based on the weather, your home’s construction, pets, and any risk of frozen pipes. In cold conditions, maintaining enough heat to protect plumbing is particularly important.

Replace a dirty HVAC filter if needed, confirm that vents are open, and make sure your thermostat has reliable power. Smart thermostats can make it easier to monitor indoor temperatures remotely, but they still need a stable internet connection and a plan for someone local to respond if an alert signals trouble.

If severe weather is possible, ask your trusted contact to check the home after major storms or power outages. They should know how to contact you and where to find emergency shutoffs or service-provider information.

Choose a Trusted Neighbor or Contact

A reliable person nearby is one of the most valuable parts of a travel plan. Choose someone you trust, and give them only the access and responsibilities they need. They might collect mail, bring in packages, check for leaks, confirm that the heat is working, or contact you if an alarm sounds.

Provide a concise home-care sheet with your travel dates, phone number, backup contact, alarm instructions if appropriate, utility locations, veterinarian information for pets, and the name of your insurance agency. Agree on how often they will check in and what situations should prompt a call. Ask them not to advertise your absence to others.

Chris Young Agency, LLC encourages homeowners to pair these practical steps with a review of their homeowners insurance information. A trusted contact can help reduce the time between a problem and your response, but insurance documentation and clear communication are equally important if a loss occurs.

Secure Valuables and Sensitive Information

Keep jewelry, cash, small collectibles, important papers, spare car keys, and firearms secured according to applicable laws and safety practices. A bolted safe, secure storage location, or off-site safe-deposit option may be appropriate for particularly valuable items. Do not leave valuables visible through windows.

Protect personal information as carefully as physical property. Store passports, financial statements, tax records, and account information in a secure location. Shred unneeded documents that contain sensitive data, and enable strong passwords and multifactor authentication on important accounts before you leave.

Update Your Home Inventory and Insurance Records

Before travel, take a quick video walkthrough of each room. Open cabinets, closets, and storage areas, and capture major purchases, serial numbers, and valuables. Save receipts, appraisals, and photos in secure cloud storage or another location outside the home. This documentation can be valuable if you ever need to report damaged or stolen property.

Review your homeowners policy so you understand your deductible, covered property, and any special limits for jewelry, art, electronics, collectibles, or other high-value belongings. Standard policies may have limits for certain categories, so ask whether scheduled personal property or another coverage option is worth considering for items that exceed those limits.

Chris Young Agency, LLC can help homeowners review their policy details and update records before a trip. An insurance review is not a substitute for securing your property, but it can help you identify coverage gaps before an unexpected event puts your preparation to the test.

Create a Final Departure Routine

On departure day, give yourself enough time for one final walk-through. Unplug nonessential electronics, discard perishable food, take out trash, close blinds without making the house look completely dark, lock doors and windows, arm the alarm, and confirm that your phone will receive smart-device alerts.

Save your trusted contact’s number, your insurer’s claims information, and key home-service contacts in your phone. Chris Young Agency, LLC recommends keeping policy information accessible digitally, rather than relying only on paperwork stored inside the home.

FAQ

Should I turn off my water before traveling?

For an extended trip, turning off the main water supply can reduce the chance of a major plumbing leak. However, the right choice depends on your home’s systems, local weather, and whether you have equipment that requires water. If you are uncertain, consult a qualified plumber before you leave.

What temperature should I leave my house when I am away?

Keep the home at a stable temperature that protects pipes and prevents excess humidity. The right setting depends on outdoor conditions, insulation, pets, and your HVAC system. Avoid shutting the system off entirely when freezing temperatures or extreme heat are possible.

Is a smart doorbell enough to protect my home?

No. A smart doorbell can provide alerts and video, but it works best as one part of a broader plan that includes locked doors and windows, a functioning alarm, exterior lighting, secure package arrangements, and a reliable local contact.

What should I document for homeowners insurance?

Create a current home inventory with photos or video, receipts, serial numbers, and appraisals for valuable items. Keep a copy of your policy information and store documentation somewhere secure outside the home, such as encrypted cloud storage.

Should I tell neighbors that I will be away?

Tell only trusted people who can help monitor the property or respond to an issue. Provide clear instructions and emergency contact information, but avoid widely sharing travel plans or posting them publicly in real time.