How to Protect Your Home from Break-Ins While Traveling

How can I protect my home from break-ins while travelling?

Planning a holiday should be enjoyable, not overshadowed by anxiety about what might happen back home. For many London homeowners, especially those with high-value properties or luxury interiors, security is a real concern. You want to know your home is safe and secure while you relax abroad or at your countryside estate.

From access control and smart monitoring to simple habits that make a real difference, there are reliable ways to reduce risk. Here is how you can protect your property and feel more at ease while you are away.

What are the best ways to prepare your home before going on holiday?

Start by getting ahead of things. Creating a pre-travel home security checklist means you are far less likely to overlook small but important tasks. Begin by walking through each room and around the exterior. Check window locks, garden gates, basement doors and any side access.

For larger residences with multiple access points, a residential security survey can be a smart move. A qualified security professional can help identify vulnerabilities specific to your home layout and suggest physical security upgrades such as reinforced door frames or laminated safety glass.

Properties with garden studios, pool houses or external garages should also be reviewed. Outbuildings often contain expensive equipment that can be used for forced entry. Storing ladders and tools in a secure place with restricted access is a simple yet effective preventative step.

Are your locks and entry points really secure?

It is easy to assume that locking your doors is enough, but experienced burglars know exactly where to look for weaknesses. French doors, roof lights and older sash windows are all common access points. Make sure everything is fitted with insurance-approved locks such as five lever mortice deadlocks or multipoint locking systems.

For homeowners who travel regularly, investing in smart locks with encrypted authentication can be worthwhile. These systems allow you to check and control access remotely through a secure app, which can also notify you of tampering or unauthorised access attempts.

It is important to treat garage doors, basement access and conservatories with the same level of care. Older locking mechanisms can be upgraded with electronic deadbolts or cylinder guards to prevent lock snapping. Many modern systems integrate with home alarm setups for extra peace of mind.

Why should expensive belongings be removed from view?

Visible valuables are one of the main reasons properties are targeted. Items such as designer handbags, artwork, luxury timepieces or rare collectibles should never be left near windows or open sightlines. It only takes seconds for someone to notice and mark your home as a potential target.

Homeowners with particularly valuable items should consider secure storage options. A high-security safe that meets EN 1143-1 grading can provide substantial protection. For items that are irreplaceable or extremely valuable, a bank deposit box remains one of the safest options.

Avoid relying on predictable hiding places. Most burglars will search behind wardrobes, under floorboards and inside decorative containers. Spare keys should never be left outside the property, even in so-called hidden spots. Instead, provide access through a secure key safe or trusted contact.

How can I make it look like someone is home while I am away?

Burglars often look for signs that a home is unoccupied. This includes curtains left closed for days, uncollected mail or a driveway that stays empty. Simple steps like having someone move bins, switch on different lights or open curtains at intervals can make a big difference.

Smart home technology offers easy options. Timed lighting systems and smart plugs can activate lamps in various rooms to create the impression of normal activity. Devices such as FakeTV mimic the flicker of a television, which can be visible from the outside and suggest occupancy.

House sitting is another effective option. Whether you choose a professional house sitter or a trusted friend, someone staying in your home can help deter opportunistic crime. For those with pets, this can also cover animal care while you are away.

If no one is available to stay in, use the Royal Mail Keepsafe service to hold your post and stop deliveries such as milk or newspapers. A property that looks lived in is far less likely to be broken into.

Why should I avoid sharing travel plans online?

It is tempting to share a photo of your view or post a quick airport selfie, but this can give away more than you think. Criminals often monitor social media platforms to find empty homes. Public posts, tagged locations or countdown stories can all indicate that no one is at home.

Speak to your children about this as well. Make sure they understand that even private messages or group chats can end up being shared beyond their intended audience. Limit who sees your posts and avoid tagging your location in real time.

Other small details matter too. Do not leave suitcases packed in plain sight overnight. Avoid using voicemail messages that mention you are away and never write your full home address on luggage tags. These small changes can prevent your property from standing out to someone with bad intentions.