Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Home Maintenance

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Rest easy on vacation with these 5 home security solutions

Veronica Sparks
By

When you plan a vacation, home security may not be at the top of your preparation list. However, once you hit the road, you’ll find yourself wondering if everything is safe and secure at the homestead. Avoid vacation house safety stress and prepare your home in advance for your time away. Installing home security devices is the best way to rest easy while you’re on vacation.

Home security camera
CC Photo Labs/Shutterstock

Must-have home security components for vacationers

Smart security cameras

Smart cameras are the most common home security component (and for a good reason), as cameras provide a world of security. Outdoor smart security cameras like front door cameras allow you to monitor who is coming to your door from your smartphone. They also tend to deter intruders since they are visible and indicate that your home has an active security system.

Door and window sensors

Sensors are easy to install and cost-efficient. Putting sensors at common entry areas like doors and windows alert you when these access points are opened. You’ll get a notification on your phone, or an alarm will sound in the home itself. The notification to your phone will allow you to alert police quickly, and the alarm will be a good deterrent to an entering intruder.

Related

Motion detectors

Similar to door and window sensors, motion detectors will alert you when they are triggered. However, these detectors are placed inside your home and detect the presence of body heat. Motion detectors are a great second line of defense if an intruder somehow bypasses your door and window sensors.

Smart locks

Installing a smart lock on your front door will allow you to monitor its status on your smartphone at any given time and from anywhere. This will allow you to see if your lock has been tampered with or disabled. Smart locks also enable you to unlock the door at any time so you can let in your neighbor to water your plants, for example.

Whole-home security system

Investing in a whole-home security system will give you all of the above security components connected to one hub. Also, many home security systems come with the services of a security monitoring company that will keep an eye on your home so you don’t have to stress.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Other security considerations when you’re going on vacation

Consider other things regarding the security of your home before you hit the road. Addressing these items before your vacation will reduce the risk of intrusion and give you even more peace of mind.

Recommended Videos

Minimize the appearance of an empty home

Intruders are experts at figuring out which homes are unoccupied and accessible without interruption. Make it harder for them to figure it out. Put a hold on your mail, make sure your grass gets mowed while you’re away, and leave your car in the driveway to create the illusion that you’re at home.

Address areas with easy access

Burglars find creative ways to enter your home, so make it hard for them to find a weak spot. Pull your AC window units indoors while you’re away, as this is a common entry point. Disconnect your garage door from its power supply while you’re away to restrict access.

Planning for a vacation brings enough stress, so once you’re on vacation, you don’t want to be worrying about a possible intrusion on the home front. Your home is a sanctuary; a burglary feels like an intrusion on your space and violates peace of mind and privacy. Protect your home whenever you’re away with some common-sense security practices as well as the best security system components the market has to offer.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Veronica Sparks
Veronica Sparks
Contributor
Veronica Sparks is a writer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin who loves writing about gardening, home décor, and DIY life. She’s…
Should you buy your own home security system or lease a service? How to decide
person installing wired home security camera

If you're looking to up your home security, you're likely well-acquainted with all of the different ways to install it. You can install your own cameras and lighting fixtures, purchase a monitoring system, or lease the equipment for short-term use. Your method depends on your budget and your home's needs, so keep reading to learn more about the best way to purchase and install your home's security system.

DIY home security system
Whether you purchase a full system from a security company and install the components yourself or purchase the individual components a la carte, taking matters into your own hands is far less expensive since you won't have to pay for the labor costs of installation. You can also customize your system to fit your needs, and you'll own all of the equipment, so you can take it with you if you move. Unfortunately, without the help of an expert, you won't have long-lasting warranties on your equipment, and you'll have to pay extra for monitoring, maintenance services, and damages.
Pros:

Read more
9 must-have items to keep your home safe and secure
door lock with key

Your home is your oasis and your fortress. It should be a safe zone where you can relax and unwind, knowing that all is right in your world. But ignoring reality is not a helpful mindset. Big and small emergencies happen without warning, so it’s best to be prepared. These items will add to your peace of mind, knowing that you’re ready when the unexpected happens.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm
No one wants to hear an alarm blaring in the middle of the night. And, let’s face it, most home smoke alarms will only need to let you know that the bacon is burning. But, for a few bucks, a smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarm will reassure you that if anything does catch fire, you’ll find out before it’s too late. 

The current standard is one ceiling-mounted smoke detector per floor of a home. Floors with more than 1,000 square feet of living space should have one per 500 square feet. Consider installing them away from the kitchen or bath to avoid nuisance alarms from cooking or bathroom steam.
First aid kit
From scrapes and cuts to bruises and sprains, there are endless small uses for a well-supplied first aid kit. It helps, too, if it’s in a convenient grab-and-go bag instead of spread among two or three different bathroom medicine cabinets.

Read more
2 ways your iPhone can become a vital home security tool
Security camera with iPhone monitoring system

There was a time when you could go away for the day and leave your front door unlocked without a second thought. Nowadays, more and more Americans rely on the peace of mind provided by home security systems. Those who opt for professionally installed and monitored systems pay between $100 and $250 for installation and $25 to $70 per month for monthly equipment charges and monitoring. Smartphone loyalists can do much better.

Using smartphones for home security can be a great way to gain peace of mind, cut costs, and make more efficient use of something you already own. Following are two of the best ways to integrate your current or older iPhone into a home security camera network, with no (or nominal) additional monthly costs.

Read more