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Holiday Travel Home Security Checklist: Before You Leave

By Guardian Angel DIY · Updated October 27, 2026 · 7 min read

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The holidays are the time of year when more homes are empty, more gifts are inside and more people share their plans online. That combination makes a house a more attractive target. The good news is that most of what protects a home while you are away is simple, cheap and takes less than an hour. This guide gives you a practical plan for the week before you leave, the day you go, and the days you are away.

Why the holidays are different

Several things change in November and December, and all of them favor a thief.

• More empty homes. People travel to see family, and a house can sit empty for days.
• More valuables. New gifts, electronics and packages are in the house or on the porch.
• More visibility. A lit tree in a front window shows presents under it, and a house that is dark and quiet stands out in a street full of activity.
• More sharing. Photos from the airport or a beach announce that the house is empty.

One week before you leave

1. Walk the house with the audit in mind. Check every door and window latch, the garage and the spare key locations. Our home security audit has a checklist you can print.
2. Fix what you find. A loose latch, a broken light or a door that does not lock should be repaired before the trip, not after.
3. Plan your lighting. Choose two or three lights in rooms that can be seen from outside, and set them up on timers or smart plugs. Test them after dark.
4. Arrange the mail and packages. Ask the post office to hold your mail for the trip, and reschedule deliveries or send them to a locker. See our guide on stopping package theft.
5. Arrange lawn and snow care. A neighbor or a service can mow or shovel so the house looks maintained.
6. Pick your house watcher. Choose a neighbor or friend, give them your travel dates and a phone number, and tell them which car, if any, should be there.

Make the lights look real

A light on a fixed schedule looks automated, especially over several days. A good routine varies, uses more than one room and matches how you live. Two inexpensive tools do the job:

• A smart plug with an away mode randomizes the on and off times within a window, and you can control it from anywhere. It needs a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network and an app.
• A timer bulb has a clock built in, needs no outlet or app, and keeps working if the internet is down. It needs to be set again if you turn the wall switch off.

For the full comparison, see our guide on making an empty house look lived in. Add a dusk-to-dawn bulb on the porch so the entry is lit every night without a thought.

Keep gifts and valuables out of sight

• Move gifts away from windows. A pile of wrapped presents under a tree in a front window is a catalog. Move the tree or the gifts, or close the curtains at night.
• Hide boxes. Break down and bag the packaging for new electronics, and put it in the bin, not the curb.
• Store small valuables. Jewelry, cash and small electronics go in a locked or hidden spot, not on a dresser or in the first drawer.
• Photograph what you own. A quick set of photos and serial numbers, stored away from home, helps with insurance claims.

The day you leave

1. Lock every door and window, and check that the garage door is closed.
2. Use the extras. Place the bar in the sliding door track, and use a manual garage lock after unplugging the opener. Our guides on sliding doors and garage doors explain how.
3. Check the lights and the timers. Make sure they will work for the whole trip.
4. Remove hidden keys. Take the spare key out of the flowerpot, and make sure your house watcher has the one you want them to have.
5. Close curtains and blinds that show valuables, but leave a few open that match your normal look.
6. Turn on your alarm, if you have one, and confirm your phone will get alerts. Our guide to alarms with no monthly fee explains your options.
7. Take your own remotes and keys, and check that none of the cars you leave behind has a garage remote in it.

What to say, and not say, online

• Hold your photos. Post them when you get back. A real-time post tells the world the house is empty.
• Check your settings. Make sure your posts and your location are not public, and avoid location tags at home or the airport.
• Be careful with group chats. Messages in a wide group are easily seen by more people than you think.
• Mind your voicemail and email auto-reply. "I am away until January 3" is information you do not need to share.

Give your house watcher a clear job

A neighbor or friend can make a big difference if they know what to do. Give them:

• Your dates and contact numbers, including a backup contact.
• A short list: bring in packages and mail, check that lights are working, change the look of the house now and then, such as moving the trash cans or parking a car.
• A plan for problems: if a door is open, a window is broken or something looks wrong, they should not go inside. They should call the police, then you.
• A thank-you, such as a small gift or a favor in return.

If you host, or stay home

The holidays also bring visitors. Lock up valuables if you have guests who are new to the house, keep medication out of sight, and put a lock on a bedroom or a closet if you want to. Keep entry doors locked even when a crowd is inside, and know who is coming and going.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Leaving a light on all day and night. A pattern that never changes looks wrong.
• Posting in real time. Wait until you are back.
• Leaving gifts in view. Move them away from windows.
• Letting mail and packages pile up. It is the clearest sign of an empty house.
• Forgetting the garage. It is the largest opening in many homes.
• Hiding a key outside. It is the first place a thief looks.

Frequently asked questions