The biggest issue with owning a vacation home is keeping it safe from burglaries or vandals due to it being vacant for long periods. Additionally, if something goes wrong inside a house, such as a burst pipe or storm damage, it can be hard to track and see the damage in real-time. 

Because of these concerns, we have put together a handful of tips and tricks to keep in mind for keeping your vacation home safe and secure while you are not there. This also goes for real estate investors who rent out short-term rentals throughout the year.

Keep Your Windows And Doors Secured

While this may seem like a no-brainer, you wouldn't believe how many homes experience break-ins because the doors and windows were simply not locked while the owners were away. Up to 40 percent of home burglaries in the United States are unforced entries.

The easiest way to beat the bad guys is to simply ensure that you lock your doors and windows every time you leave. With innovations in technology, you can go one step further and install keyless locks for both your doors and windows. These work by utilizing key fobs or key codes, and can be locked and unlocked using your smart home system. 

If you have sliding glass doors, make sure to lock them with some sort of security bar when you are away. Also, walk through your house and thoroughly inspect every window and door to ensure that they are not only locked but are secure. Keep track of any damage to screens and ensure that pet doors that can be accessed from the outside are locked up and blocked. 

1. Know Your Neighbors

If you have a strong community and good relationships with your neighbors, you can be sure that if something were to happen, they would give you a call and keep an eye out on your property. Good neighbors will keep an eye out on your property if you are an absentee landowner, and report suspicious activity to the police, as well as to you. 

When a neighborhood has a tight social fabric, for example, there are often much lower break-in rates because strangers are easier to identify. Building strong relationships with your neighbors not only helps ensure that your property is safer but it is also vital to creating a community that makes the world a better place.

2. Keep Good Records Of Your Belongings

Make sure to keep a good inventory of your valuable belongings that stay at your vacation home. This is not only a good idea for insurance reasons in the case of a break-in, but also important for investors who use their vacation home for passive income. 

When you allow other people to stay in your vacation home using hosting services such as a property manager or AirBNB, many of your guests will be strangers. While most of these strangers are simply looking for a place to stay and relax, from time to time, you may run into someone who can't keep your things out of their luggage.

3. Don’t Hide The Spare Key In An Obvious Location

Most homeowners keep a spare key hidden somewhere on-site. Accidents happen, and having a spare key available will prevent you from having to call a locksmith to get into your home. The downside is that if a hopeful burglar finds your hidden spare key, they have unfettered access to your vacation home and everything inside. 

Instead of hiding your key under the doormat, on top of a porch light, or under a rock, leave it with a trusted neighbor or a nearby friend. If you need to hide a spare key somewhere, use a wall-mounted key lock box.

4. Additional Ways To Keep Your Vacation Home Safe While You Are Away

• Motion-Sensor Lights: Install these around entry points and pathways. They activate when someone approaches, which can startle potential intruders.
• Smart Lighting: Use smart bulbs or timers to create the illusion that the home is occupied. Program lights to turn on and off at different times, mimicking natural living patterns.
• Landscaping: Keep the yard and garden tidy. Overgrown lawns can signal that the property is vacant.
• Winterization: In colder climates, ensure the home is winterized to prevent issues like burst pipes, which can attract attention.

Home Security Solutions

The most effective way to ensure that your vacation home is safe is to work with a professional home security company to install a full spectrum security system. This system will include everything from surveillance cameras, an alarm system, and smart locks, and should be easily monitored by you and the security company. 

In addition to the security system, visible signage indicating that your home is protected by a security system can be enough to deter most potential intruders.

Integrity Solution Can Help You Secure Your Vacation Home

Preventing break-ins requires a comprehensive strategy that tackles weaknesses, improves visibility with proper lighting, fortifies entry points, simulates occupancy, and encourages neighborhood watchfulness.

By adopting these precautionary steps, homeowners can greatly diminish the likelihood of burglary. Safeguarding your home and family is paramount. Stay alert, take initiative, and focus on ensuring the security of your household.

For more information on boosting your home’s security, get in touch with Integrity Security. Our experts are committed to assisting you in protecting what you value most. We offer customized, all-encompassing security solutions to ensure your home and loved ones are well-protected.

Don’t wait for an incident to occur. Contact Integrity Security today, and let us help you stay ahead of potential dangers.