Protecting Your Home While Traveling for the Holidays

Holiday travel is an opportunity to spend time with loved ones, take a well-deserved break, and create meaningful memories. As travel plans come together, it is important to include home security in the preparation process.

During the holidays, increased travel, online shopping, and package deliveries can make unoccupied homes more noticeable. A few practical steps before departure can help reduce avoidable risks and provide greater confidence while you are away.

Why Home Security Deserves Attention During Holiday Travel

When more households are away and deliveries are frequent, vacant properties may be easier to identify. Mail accumulating, packages left outside, and a home that remains dark for days can all signal that no one is present.

Preparing a property does not need to be difficult or time-consuming. Thoughtful measures can make a home appear attended, discourage unwanted activity, and help safeguard the property and belongings inside.

Check Doors, Windows, and Other Access Points

Before leaving, take time to inspect each exterior door and window. Confirm that everything is closed and locked, including doors that may not be used often and windows on upper or lower levels.

If it has been some time since you evaluated your home security, consider whether stronger deadbolts, window locks, or sensors would add useful protection. Ground-floor windows deserve particular attention because unsecured windows can provide an easy point of access.

A final walk-through may take only a few minutes, but it can eliminate simple opportunities for an unwanted visitor to enter the home.

Create the Appearance of an Occupied Home

A home that is consistently quiet and dark can appear vacant. Programmable lighting and smart-home technology can help create a more natural appearance while you are traveling.

Set lights to switch on and off at varying times during the evening instead of leaving one light on continuously. This type of routine can suggest ordinary activity inside the home and make the property less appealing than one that clearly appears unoccupied.

Small signs of daily activity can be meaningful deterrents. The goal is simply to avoid making a vacant property look like an easy target.

Be Selective About Sharing Travel Updates

It is natural to want to share holiday photos and travel updates with friends and family. However, it is wise to consider when those posts are made.

Posting an itinerary, location updates, or photos while away can unintentionally reveal that your home is empty. Waiting until you have returned to share highlights from the trip helps protect your privacy and limits the public availability of your travel schedule.

You can still capture and enjoy the moments from your trip. Saving them for later can be a simple way to avoid broadcasting that the property is unattended.

Arrange for Someone to Check the Property

Ask a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member to keep an eye on your home during your trip. Having someone visit periodically can add an important level of reassurance.

They can collect mail, bring packages inside, and check for anything unusual around the property. A full mailbox or deliveries left on a front step for several days may make it clear that the home is vacant.

Regular check-ins also give someone the opportunity to notice an issue that may need attention and notify you promptly. This is a practical way to help maintain the appearance that the home is being cared for.

Use Visible Security Measures as a Deterrent

Visible security features can influence whether someone chooses to approach a property. Cameras, video doorbells, security systems, and clearly displayed security signage can make a home appear more difficult to target.

If your home has an existing security system, confirm that it is armed before you leave. If you are considering an upgrade, even a basic system may provide another layer of confidence while you travel.

Security measures do not need to be elaborate to be effective. Making it clear that the home is protected may be enough to persuade someone to move on.

Review Your Homeowners Insurance Coverage

Physical security is one part of a broader approach to protecting your property. Before traveling, it can also be helpful to review your homeowners insurance policy.

If you have completed renovations, purchased valuable belongings, or made other changes to the home, make sure the policy reflects those updates. Accurate coverage can help protect both the property and personal belongings if an unexpected event occurs.

For property owners who also work with commercial real estate, property management, real estate investment, or valuation and advisory professionals, the same principle applies: keeping property information current supports better planning and more informed decisions. A brief insurance review can complement the other precautions you take before leaving.

Travel With Greater Confidence

Securing a home before a holiday trip does not require a major investment of time. Locking doors and windows, using timed lights, limiting real-time social media updates, arranging for someone to visit, activating security features, and reviewing insurance coverage can work together to protect the property while you are away.

At Colliers, we understand that thoughtful property planning supports confidence and peace of mind. Whether clients need guidance related to property management, leasing services, workplace consulting, or real estate investment, Colliers helps them make informed decisions about the places and assets that matter most.

If you have questions about homeowners insurance, property protection, or ways to prepare your home before travel, contact our team. We are here to help you plan with confidence so you can focus on enjoying a safe and memorable holiday.