You’ve packed your bags, found your passports, and booked a taxi. But just before you leave, you may feel anxious about your empty house. A holiday should be relaxing, not filled with worries about break-ins. Before you head out on your trip, it’s a good idea to take a few simple steps to stay safe and worry-free.
According to the ONS, home burglaries in England and Wales decreased by 22% in the year ending December 2025, with about 327,000 incidents. This is a positive trend, and by following a few simple tips, you can help keep your home secure.
How to Protect Your Home While Travelling
Here are the six ways to protect your home while travelling:
Lock Every Entry Point Securely
Start with the basics to keep your home safe. Before you leave, make sure all doors and windows are locked, including any side gates, the garage, and sheds. If your insurance company recommends it, install deadbolt locks on your doors and actually remember to use them. Avoid hiding a spare key under a flowerpot, since many burglars know to look there first. It’s much safer to give a spare key to a friend or someone you trust instead.
Make Your Home Look Lived In
When a house is empty, it can feel very quiet. To make it seem like someone is there, use timer switches for the lamps and set them to turn on at night. Keep all the curtains open where they normally are during the day, instead of closing them for two weeks. A light in the hallway that comes on as it gets dark makes it look like someone’s home, and that’s often enough to discourage people who might want to break in.
Stop Post From Piling Up Outside
If a doormat is piled high with flyers and mail, it is a sign that nobody is home. To avoid this, you can use Royal Mail’s Keepsafe service, which holds your mail until you return. You can also pause deliveries like milk, vegetables, and newspapers while you’re away. If any items, like menus or delivery slips, still end up in your mailbox, it is a good idea to ask a neighbour to take them out for you.
Keep Travel Plans Off Social Media
Be cautious about sharing your vacation plans on social media. When you post selfies or countdowns at the airport, it can signal to people that your home will be empty for a while. Instead, consider saving your beach photos until you are back; this way, you can create a lovely album without alerting everyone that you are not home. Additionally, if you post while away, ensure your privacy settings are strictly restricted to close friends to help keep your travel plans private.
For a visual reference, explore this guide, which highlights crucial home security advice while you’re away.
Ask a Trusted Neighbour for Help
Having a good neighbour is better than owning any fancy product. You can ask them to help with small things like putting out your bins, allowing them to park in your driveway to show activity, or closing your curtains. It is a good idea to give them your contact details and a spare key in case of any issues. When you get back, a bottle of local wine is a good way to thank them and ensure they’ll be willing to help again.
Test Your Alarms Before Leaving
Before you leave, take ten minutes of your time to check your burglar alarm, cameras, and smart doorbell. Replace any old batteries, update the phone numbers your security company has on file, and ensure your camera alerts are delivered to your phone, even when you are away.
A 2025 UK Government report found that 73.1% of home burglaries did not result in a suspect being identified in the year leading up to March 2025. This demonstrates that preventing a break-in is much better than dealing with one after it happens. Security specialists from Barry Bros can assess what your home needs before a trip, from simple lock and CCTV upgrades to full alarm inspections. A quick chat with an expert can give you more peace of mind than just hoping for the best.
Conclusion
Taking a little time before your holiday to secure your home provides invaluable peace of mind. By locking all entry points, managing your lighting, keeping your travel plans private, and asking a trusted neighbour to watch the property, you ensure your house stays protected. Then, you can truly relax and enjoy your trip.
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