How to Secure All Entry Points Before Leaving Your Home Vacant
Complete checklist with climate-adjusted recommendations
Overview
Lock all windows and doors, set timers on lights, and alert neighbors or your property manager before an extended absence.
Step-by-Step Guide
Lock every door and deadbolt
Walk through the home and lock every exterior door including the front door, back door, side doors, garage entry door, and basement bulkhead. Engage deadbolts — a locked knob without a deadbolt can be defeated with a credit card. Verify the garage door is down and the wall button lock (if equipped) is engaged.
Secure all windows
Close and lock every window on every floor, including basement windows. For sliding windows and doors, place a wooden dowel or security bar in the track to prevent forced opening even if the lock is defeated. Verify window locks are engaged by attempting to push each window open.
Check secondary entry points
Secure pet doors (lock the flap or cover with a rigid panel), lock skylights that open, close and latch attic access hatches, and verify mail slots cannot be used to reach inside and unlock doors. Lock detached garage or shed doors.
Set lights on timers or smart plugs
Connect 2–3 interior lights to timers or smart plugs so they turn on and off at realistic intervals (for example, living room light from 6 PM to 10 PM, bedroom light from 9 PM to 11 PM). Vary the pattern across rooms. A dark home every night is an obvious signal that nobody is home.
Manage exterior appearance
Arrange for lawn mowing, snow removal, or leaf cleanup during your absence. Ask a neighbor or hire a service. Pause mail and package deliveries through USPS Hold Mail and suspend any regular delivery subscriptions. An overgrown yard or overflowing mailbox advertises vacancy.
Alert trusted neighbors and contacts
Tell 1–2 trusted neighbors your travel dates and leave a phone number where you can be reached. Give a spare key to someone you trust so they can check on the home. If you have a property manager, inform them and provide emergency instructions.
Activate or check your security system
If you have a security system, ensure it is armed in 'Away' mode. Test the system before leaving by triggering a sensor and confirming the monitoring company responds. Check that all camera batteries or Wi-Fi connections are working. If you do not have a system, consider a doorbell camera at minimum.
Remove or hide spare keys and valuables
Bring spare keys inside — do not leave them under mats, in fake rocks, or above door frames. Burglars know all the common hiding spots. Store important documents and small valuables in a home safe or take them with you. Close blinds or curtains on ground-floor windows so valuables are not visible from outside.
What You'll Need
Tools
- - Light timers or smart plugs (2–3 units)
- - Wooden dowels or security bars for sliding doors/windows
Materials
- - Fresh batteries for security cameras and sensors
- - Spare key for neighbor or property manager
Cost Estimates
DIY Cost
$20–$50 for timers and dowels
Professional Cost
$50–$150 for a locksmith visit; $20–$50/month for a basic monitoring service
Safety Tips
- Never advertise your absence on social media until after you return.
- Leave a vehicle in the driveway if possible, or ask a neighbor to park in your driveway occasionally.
- Do not leave a voicemail greeting that says you are away. Keep your greeting generic.
- If you return to find signs of forced entry, do not go inside — call 911 from outside the home.
When to Call a Professional
Call a locksmith if any locks are broken, sticky, or cannot be deadbolted. Call a security company to install or upgrade a monitored alarm system before extended travel. A property management company can do periodic walk-throughs for seasonal or vacation homes.
Pro Tip
A single smart home camera pointed at the front door gives you more peace of mind than any other security measure. Battery-powered doorbell cameras are easy to install, record motion events to the cloud, and let you see who approaches your door in real time from your phone.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Locking the front door but forgetting the garage side door, basement windows, or sliding patio door.
- Leaving all lights off every night, which signals an empty home more effectively than anything else.
- Posting vacation photos on social media while still away, essentially announcing the home is unoccupied.
- Forgetting to hold mail delivery, resulting in an overflowing mailbox visible from the street.
- Leaving a spare key in an obvious location like under the doormat or a fake rock near the door.
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Related How-To Guides
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