The Goal: Look Lived-In and Protected
Most break-ins are crimes of opportunity — an empty house signals an easy target. Your job before you leave is to make the home look occupied, remove obvious vulnerabilities, and shut down the things that cause the most expensive damage while you're away: water and power. Run through this checklist the day before and the morning you leave.
24 Hours Before: The Walk-Through
Locks and entry points
- Lock every window and door, including the garage side door and the one from the garage into the house — the most commonly forgotten entry point.
- Slide a dowel or security bar into the track of sliding glass doors.
- Remove the spare key from under the mat, the flowerpot, or the fake rock. Burglars know every hiding spot you've ever thought of.
Make it look lived-in
- Put indoor lights on timers — stagger them in different rooms so the pattern isn't obviously mechanical.
- Leave a radio or TV on at low volume.
- Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway and pick up packages, flyers, and newspapers.
- Hold the mail via usps.com — a stuffed mailbox is a dead giveaway. Do the same for newspaper delivery.
- Arrange for lawn care if you'll be gone more than a week — an overgrown lawn in summer is a tell.
The Morning You Leave
Water and appliances
- Shut off the main water supply — a burst pipe or failed hose while you're away can flood the entire house. This single step prevents the most common catastrophic vacation claim.
- Turn off the water heater (or set it to "vacation" mode) to save energy and eliminate a failure source.
- Unplug non-essential electronics — TVs, computers, toasters. This protects against power-surge damage and eliminates phantom draw.
- Run the garbage disposal with cold water to clear it, then leave it off.
- Empty the dishwasher and leave it open — a sealed, damp dishwasher can grow mold in a week.
Temperature and climate
- In winter: set the thermostat to 55°F minimum to prevent frozen pipes. Don't turn the heat off entirely.
- In summer: set the AC to 80–82°F to control humidity and protect wood floors and instruments.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls so warm air reaches the pipes (winter only).
Security systems
- Arm the alarm and confirm all sensors are showing "closed" on the panel.
- Test outdoor motion lights by walking the perimeter at dusk.
- Check security camera batteries/storage and confirm you can view the feed remotely.
- Lock the gate to the backyard.
Don't Advertise That You're Gone
- Avoid posting travel photos on social media until you're back home. It's tempting, but it's also the most common way burglars learn a house is empty.
- Don't change your voicemail to say you're out of town.
- Tell a trusted neighbor or a friend the dates you'll be away and a phone number to reach you. Give them a spare key directly — don't hide one.
The 5-Minute Final Check
Before you lock the front door, do one last sweep: water off, thermostat set, lights on timers, appliances unplugged, alarm armed. Then enjoy your trip knowing the house is buttoned up.