Holiday Vacation Safety Tips to Keep Your Home Safe

By the Mercury Team

The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and making memories with loved ones. For a lot of families, that also means hitting the road sometime between November and January to visit friends and relatives. While you’re away enjoying the festivities, the last thing you want to worry about is the safety of your home.

An empty house can catch the wrong kind of attention, from burglars to problems like fires, frozen pipes, or winter storm damage. That’s why it helps to build a few simple holiday home safety steps into your travel plans.

This guide offers key holiday safety tips to ensure you can travel with peace of mind, knowing your home is well-protected.

Essential Holiday Travel Safety Tips

Before you pack your bags and head out, you should do a thorough security check. These steps can deter potential threats and keep your home safe.

Secure All Entry Points

The most straightforward way for a burglar to enter your home is through an unlocked door or window. Before you leave, double-check that every potential access point is secured.

• Lock all doors and windows, including those on upper floors and in the garage.
• Secure sliding glass doors with a security bar or dowel in the track to prevent them from being forced open.
• Reinforce your locks with deadbolts and consider upgrading to smart locks for remote access and monitoring.

Install or Update Home Security Systems

A modern home security system is one of the best deterrents against burglars. Visible cameras and alarm signs send a clear message that your property is monitored.

• Install a comprehensive alarm system, video doorbell, and motion-activated lighting around your property.
• Enable remote monitoring features, so you can receive notifications and view live footage on your smartphone while you’re away.
• Make sure your system is armed before you leave. Many systems allow you to arm them remotely if you forget.

Don’t Advertise Your Holiday Travel Plans

When you’re excited about a trip, it’s totally natural to want to post about it online. However, public posts can alert burglars that your home will be empty.

• Avoid posting your travel dates or real-time vacation photos on social media. Share your memories once you’ve returned home.
• Ask a trusted neighbor or friend to collect your mail, newspapers, and any packages that arrive. A pile-up of mail is a clear sign that no one is home. If you are gone for a lengthy period of time, you can also arrange with the USPS to suspend your delivery until you return.

Use Smart Home Automation

Smart home technology makes it easier than ever to give the impression that your house is occupied, even when it’s not.

• Set interior and exterior lights on timers to turn on and off at various times.
• Automate your blinds or curtains to open and close daily.
• Schedule your TV or radio to turn on for a few hours in the evening to create the illusion of activity.

Vacation Safety Tips for Your Home While You’re Away

Beyond preventing break-ins, it’s important to protect your home from internal hazards like fires and water damage. These vacation safety tips will help you prepare for the unexpected.

Protect Against Fire Hazards

The risk of fire doesn’t disappear when you’re not home. Electrical malfunctions and other issues can still happen.

• Unplug non-essential electronics and appliances, such as toasters, coffee makers, and computers, to prevent electrical fires from power surges.
• Thoroughly inspect your holiday lights for frayed wires or damaged bulbs before you leave them on.
• Test your smoke detectors and replace the batteries so they function properly.

Prevent Water Damage and Frozen Pipes

Winter travel comes with the risk of frozen pipes, which can burst and cause significant water damage.

• Insulate any exposed pipes in unheated areas, such as basements, crawl spaces, and attics.
• Keep your thermostat set to a minimum of 55°F to prevent pipes from freezing.
• If you’ll be gone for an extended period, consider turning off the main water valve for maximum protection.

Prepare for Winter Weather Risks

Severe winter weather can cause damage to your home’s exterior, so be sure to winterize your home by doing the following:

• Trim any tree branches that hang over your roof to prevent them from falling during a storm.
• Clean your gutters to prevent ice dams, which can cause water to back up and leak into your home.

Outdoor and Yard Safety Tips While Traveling

Your home’s exterior can be a giveaway about whether anyone’s around. Keeping up with your yard and making sure the place is well-lit are simple ways that can help your home look lived in.

Improve Exterior Lighting

A well-lit property is less inviting to criminals. Dark corners and shadowy entrances provide cover for unwanted visitors.

• Install motion-sensor lights near entry points and walkways.
• Use dusk-to-dawn bulbs for porch lights to ensure your home is illuminated all night.
• Make sure all exterior lights are functioning correctly before you leave.

Maintain the Illusion of Activity

Unkempt yards and empty driveways are also telltale signs of an empty house. Keeping up with outdoor maintenance creates the impression that someone is around.

• If you have a second vehicle, leave it parked in the driveway. If not, ask a neighbor to park their car there occasionally.
• If snow is in the forecast, arrange for someone to clear your driveway and walkways. During warmer months, schedule lawn care to keep your yard looking tidy.

Insurance Considerations Before You Travel

Before you leave, it’s wise to review your homeowners insurance policy, so you get peace of mind that you have the right protection.

Review Your Home Insurance Policy

Make sure your policy covers the risks you’re most concerned about, such as theft, weather damage, or accidents.

“Give your agent a quick call before you leave,” says Larry Anderson, Director, Underwriting Operations for Mercury Insurance. “It’s an easy way to feel more confident about your trip. Ask about your coverage limits, especially for pricier items like jewelry and electronics, so you know exactly what’s protected.”

Create a Home Inventory

If the unexpected happens, a home inventory can be invaluable. It’s a detailed list of your belongings that helps streamline the claims process. Here’s what to do:

• Use a digital app, spreadsheet, or just photos and videos to document important items in each room. Include details like serial numbers and purchase dates.
• Keep a digital copy of your inventory, along with receipts for major purchases, in a secure cloud-based location. This will help speed up the claims process.

Travel with Confidence This Holiday Season

The holidays should be a time for joy and relaxation, not worry. Follow these holiday safety tips to protect your home while on vacation and enjoy your time away. 

At Mercury Insurance, we’re here to be your advocate and help you feel secure. If you have questions about your current coverage or want to ensure you’re fully protected, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Contact us today for a fast, free quote!