How to Make Your Home Feel Safer While You’re Away

Heading off on a holiday or work trip can be exciting, but it’s natural to worry about your home while you’re away. Whether you’re gone for a weekend or a month, taking steps to improve your home security can help your property feel safer and deter opportunistic crime.

Here’s what you need to know.

Understand What Really Deters Burglars

While security cameras and alarms are popular, experienced burglars can often bypass or ignore them. Police and ex-burglary detectives often note that the best deterrents are the simplest:

• Good quality locks and security screens on all doors and windows
• Motion-activated lighting around entry points
• A well-maintained yard with trimmed bushes and clear sightlines
• Getting to know your neighbours so they can keep an eye out

These steps make your property appear occupied and harder to target.

Simulate Occupancy

Empty homes are easy targets. To make your home feel lived-in while you’re away, consider:

• Using smart lighting systems that turn lights on and off at varying times
• Having a neighbour collect your mail
• Asking someone to park in your driveway occasionally
• Keeping curtains and blinds in normal positions

Security techs and electricians can install smart lighting and system controls to automate these tasks, helping your home look occupied even when you’re kilometres away.

Choosing the Right Cameras

Security cameras can provide a deterrent, but they are most effective when:

• Installed to cover every approach to the house, not just inside
• Using wired or Power over Ethernet (PoE) for reliability
• Storing footage locally, so recordings aren’t lost during internet outages
• Positioned to capture clear images in various lighting conditions

Many homeowners install cameras for peace of mind, but it’s important to understand that cameras work best as a deterrent and for reviewing incidents after the fact, rather than preventing break-ins outright.

Alarms: Loud and Local

A loud alarm that draws attention can scare off intruders quickly. Some homeowners prefer unmonitored alarms, relying on neighbours to alert them if it goes off. Others opt for systems integrated with smart notifications, allowing them to see alerts and camera feeds instantly on their phone.

If you prefer a seamless, professionally set-up system, consider hiring a home security specialist to design and install a setup that suits your property and lifestyle.

Simple Yet Effective Measures

• Lock all doors and windows (including upstairs)
• Don’t leave valuables visible from windows
• Avoid announcing your travel plans publicly
• Use window alarms or simple vibration sensors on accessible windows
• Install security screens for added protection
• Ensure outdoor items like bikes and tools are locked away

These low-fuss steps add layers of protection, making your home a less attractive target.

Making Your Home a Harder Target

Most property crime is opportunistic. If a potential intruder sees hedges, fences, lighting, and clear signs that your home is actively lived in, they’re more likely to move on to an easier target.

The aim is not to create a fortress but to make your home inconvenient for unwanted visitors.

When to Call a Home Security Specialist

Setting up effective home security can be technical, especially if you want a fully integrated system with cameras, alarms, and smart controls. A home security specialist on ServiceSeeking can:

• Recommend the best systems for your property layout
• Professionally install wired systems for better reliability
• Integrate alarms, lighting, and cameras into one seamless system
• Provide maintenance and support for your setup

Heading Away Soon?

If you’re planning a holiday or travel, take the time now to check your locks, tidy your yard, set up lighting timers, and consider your camera coverage. For a stress-free experience, you can find and hire trusted home security specialists on ServiceSeeking.com.au to handle your system upgrades and installations before you leave.

With the right setup and simple habits, you can make your home feel safer while you’re away and enjoy your time off.