7 Ways to Keep Your Home Safe While You're on Vacation
Every summer I talk to clients who come back from a week at the beach or a road trip through the mountains only to find a small problem that could have been prevented — a package sitting on the porch for days, a light that burned out the first night, or worse. After years of helping families buy and protect their homes across the Pittsburgh area, I've put together a short list of things that genuinely make a difference. None of these are complicated, and most cost nothing at all.
1. Stop Your Mail and Hold Your Packages
A stuffed mailbox or a stack of boxes on your porch is one of the clearest signals that nobody is home. USPS offers a free Hold Mail service online — you can set it up in a few minutes. For packages, use the delivery management apps from UPS and FedEx to reschedule arrivals or redirect them to a neighbor you trust.
2. Use Smart Timers or Smart Bulbs on Your Lights
A house that goes completely dark the moment you leave looks unoccupied. Plug-in light timers have been around forever and cost just a few dollars. Smart bulbs let you control things from your phone even when you're sitting on a beach in Florida. Vary the schedule so it doesn't look mechanical — lights on in the living room at 7 p.m., bedroom light on at 9 p.m., that sort of thing.
3. Ask a Trusted Neighbor to Keep an Eye Out
This one sounds old-fashioned, but it works. A neighbor who knows you're gone can pick up anything left at the door, move a trash can back to the side of the house, and simply notice if something looks off. Leave them a way to reach you and a key if you're comfortable with that.
4. Don't Announce Your Trip on Social Media
I know it's tempting to post that beach sunset on the first day, but saving those photos until you're back home is genuinely safer. Public posts — or even posts visible to a large friends list — can travel further than you expect.
5. Secure Entry Points Beyond the Front Door
Check every door and window before you leave, including the garage. A surprising number of break-ins happen through sliding glass doors and first-floor windows that were left unlocked or not properly secured. A simple cut-down wooden dowel in a sliding door track adds an extra layer that costs almost nothing.
6. Turn Off the Water Supply to Washing Machines and Dishwashers
A burst washing machine hose is one of the more common causes of serious water damage in homes. If you're going to be away for more than a few days, shutting off the supply valves behind the washer and under the dishwasher takes about thirty seconds and can save you a very stressful homecoming.
7. Install or Test a Video Doorbell and Check Your Alarm System
If you have a video doorbell, make sure notifications are active on your phone before you leave. If you've been thinking about one, they've come down in price considerably and are genuinely useful year-round — not just for vacations. And if you have a monitored alarm system, call the company before you go to confirm your contact information is current.
One More Thing: Document Your Home Before You Leave
Spend five minutes walking through your home with your phone camera rolling. Record appliances, electronics, furniture, and anything of value. Save that video somewhere other than just your phone — a cloud folder or an email to yourself works fine. If you ever need to file an insurance claim, having that documentation is invaluable.
These steps take maybe an hour total, and they give you real peace of mind while you're away. If you have questions about home security upgrades that could also add value to your property — or if you're thinking about buying or selling in the Pittsburgh market — I'm always happy to talk. Reach out anytime.