Your home sits empty for a week. Maybe two. You’re relaxing on a beach or visiting family—but part of your mind wonders: is everything okay back home?
Burglars love holidays. Empty homes are easier targets with lower risk of confrontation. A few simple preparations dramatically reduce your vulnerability.
Why Empty Homes Are Targeted
The Burglar’s Calculation
Every break-in involves risk assessment:
- Is anyone home?
- Will I be seen?
- How long do I have?
- What’s the likely reward vs risk?
An empty home answers these favourably for criminals:
- No confrontation risk
- Extended time to search
- Reduced chance of interruption
- Predictable absence (holidays follow patterns)
Holiday Patterns
Criminals know:
- School holiday periods mean family absences
- Bank holiday weekends see travel spikes
- Christmas and summer are peak empty-home periods
- Social media often announces departures
"You’re not just protecting your possessions. You’re protecting your peace of mind—the ability to actually enjoy your time away.
Before You Leave: The Security Checklist
Locks and Entry Points
Front door:
- Test locks operate smoothly
- Ensure deadbolt is engaged
- Check door furniture is secure
- Verify high-security cylinder is fitted
Back and side doors:
- Same checks as front
- Often more vulnerable (less visible)
- Consider additional bolt or bar
Windows:
- All windows locked
- Keys removed from locks (prevents fishing)
- Ground floor especially important
Garage and outbuildings:
- Lock garage doors securely
- Remove or secure tools (used in break-ins) - see our garage security guide
- Lock internal door from garage to house
Alarm System
If you have an alarm:
- Test it works before leaving
- Ensure monitoring is active
- Check battery backup status
- Inform any key holders of your absence
If you don’t have an alarm:
- Consider whether this is the time to install one
- Even a basic system adds deterrent value
Valuables and Documents
- Move obvious valuables away from windows
- Secure important documents
- Consider a home safe for irreplaceables
- Photograph valuable items for insurance
Creating the Illusion of Occupancy
Light Timers
The simplest and most effective measure:
- Living room lamp on timer (evening hours)
- Kitchen or hallway light on different timer
- Upstairs light on yet another schedule
- Vary times slightly day-to-day if possible
Mail and Deliveries
Overflowing mail screams “away”:
- Royal Mail’s Keepsafe service holds mail
- Cancel regular deliveries (newspapers, milk)
- Ask a neighbour to collect anything that arrives
- Redirect packages to a neighbour or collection point
For more on protecting your mail slot, see our letterbox security guide.
Garden and Exterior
- Mow the lawn before leaving
- Move bins back after collection
- Keep garden tidy (unkempt = absent)
- In winter, arrange for snow clearance if needed
Curtains and Blinds
- Don’t close everything completely (unusual in daytime)
- Leave some curtains as you would normally
- Bedroom curtains open during day, closed at night (if using timers)
- Avoid the “sealed up” look
Vehicles
- Park as you normally would
- If you’re taking the car, ask a neighbour to park on your drive
- Alternatively, an empty drive may look normal for your household
Digital Security
Social Media
Do not:
- Post holiday countdown updates
- Share airport/travel photos in real time
- Check in at distant locations publicly
- Announce return dates
Do:
- Wait until you’re home to post holiday photos
- Keep travel plans within trusted circles only
- Check privacy settings on all platforms
Email Auto-Replies
Be careful with out-of-office messages:
- Don’t include dates if possible
- Don’t specify “away from home”
- Consider whether you need one at all
- For work, use vague language
Trusted People
The Neighbour Check
Ask a trusted neighbour to:
- Collect visible mail daily
- Move bins appropriately
- Check property exterior occasionally
- Report anything suspicious
Provide them with:
- Your contact number abroad
- Emergency contact (if you’re unreachable)
- Alarm code (if appropriate)
- Basic knowledge of what’s normal
Key Holders
If someone is checking inside:
- Brief them on alarm operation
- Show them what’s “normal”
- Establish check-in schedule
- Discuss what to do if they find a problem
House Sitters
For longer absences:
- Someone staying provides the best security
- Professional house-sitting services exist
- Friends or family may welcome the space
- Genuine occupancy beats simulated occupancy
Technical Measures
Cameras and Monitoring
- Doorbell cameras show who’s approaching
- Indoor cameras (with notification) alert to entry
- Cloud recording means evidence survives theft
- Even visible dummy cameras add deterrent
Smart Home Integration
Modern systems allow:
- Remote viewing of cameras
- Light control from anywhere
- Door/window sensors with alerts
- Thermostat adjustment (pipes in winter)
Alarm Features
Check whether your alarm offers:
- Remote arming/disarming
- Push notifications for triggers
- Connection to monitoring services
- Integration with other smart devices
Specific Scenarios
Winter Holidays
Additional concerns:
- Frozen pipes (keep heating on low)
- Snow accumulation signals absence
- Shorter days mean more darkness
- Consider water shut-off for extended trips
Summer Holidays
Different challenges:
- Leaving windows open for ventilation creates vulnerability
- Longer days reduce darkness-concealment
- Garden growth can signal absence
- More social media activity to resist
Long-Term Absence
For absences beyond two weeks:
- House sitter strongly recommended
- Inform local police (some areas offer checks)
- Ask trusted person to vary curtain positions
- Consider whether insurance requires notification
What If Something Goes Wrong?
If You’re Alerted to a Problem
- Contact police first (don’t confront remotely)
- Call your emergency contact locally
- Don’t share access codes with strangers
- Document everything for insurance
If You Return to a Break-In
- Don’t enter (intruder may still be present)
- Call 999 from outside
- Wait for police clearance
- Document before touching anything
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I tell the police I'm going away?
Some police forces offer holiday check services for extended absences. Contact your local force to ask—it's not universal but worth exploring.
Do burglars really check social media?
Yes. Studies confirm criminals use social media for targeting. The information is public and easy to search. This isn't paranoia—it's documented.
Is it worth hiring a house sitter?
For absences over a week, genuine occupancy is the best security. For longer trips, house sitters often offset their cost in peace of mind alone.
Should I leave the TV or radio on when away?
Timers on lights are more effective. Constant sound doesn't simulate real occupancy convincingly and wastes energy.
How do burglars know a house is empty?
Burglars look for piled-up mail, dark houses at night, closed curtains during daytime, bins left out after collection day, no car movement, and no sign of life.
What should I do before going on holiday?
Set light timers, stop mail delivery, avoid announcing your trip on social media, ask a neighbour to check in, and verify all locks and alarms work.
Can smart home devices help with holiday security?
Yes. Smart bulbs and plugs allow remote control and randomised schedules. You can turn lights on and off from your hotel to simulate realistic activity.
What if I return to find a break-in?
Don't enter as the intruder may still be present. Call 999 from outside, wait for police clearance, and document everything before touching anything.
The Pre-Departure Checklist
Print this and check before leaving:
- All doors locked and checked
- All windows secured
- Alarm set and tested
- Light timers programmed
- Mail delivery stopped/redirected
- Bins returned after collection
- Valuables secured
- Neighbour briefed
- Keys with trusted person
- Social media privacy checked
- Thermostat set appropriately
- Water considerations (if extended)
Enjoy Your Trip
Security preparation isn’t about fear—it’s about freedom. Once your home is properly prepared, you can actually relax knowing you’ve done what’s reasonable.
The best holiday is one where you don’t think about home security at all. Proper preparation makes that possible.