Heading off on holiday is a time filled with anticipation and excitement. However, when getting everything ready for your trip, it’s important not to overlook the security of your home while you’re away. Empty homes are a primary target for opportunist burglars, but taking a few simple yet effective precautions can significantly reduce the risk of break-ins and give you peace of mind throughout your trip. 

From checking that every door and window is securely locked to leveraging smart home technology, here are eight  essential steps to help ensure your home stays safe and sound during your absence.

The most effective way to deter an intruder is to make them believe you are sitting right in your living room.  

Many people ask, "should I leave porch lights on?" The simple answer is no - at least, not constantly. A porch light blazing in the middle of a sunny afternoon is a glaring indicator that nobody has been home to switch it off. Instead, modern technology offers much smarter solutions. 

Setting up smart lighting schedules for deterrent purposes is highly effective. You can program smart bulbs via your phone to turn on in the kitchen during dinnertime and later in the bedroom, perfectly mimicking your daily routine. If you prefer a more traditional and budget-friendly approach, investing in a few indoor timer plugs for lamps works just as brilliantly. Set them to activate as dusk falls, creating a convincing illusion of life inside the house. 

A robust alarm system is one of the most effective ways to protect your home while you’re on holiday. The Yale Smart Alarm provides real-time smart alerts and allows you to arm or disarm your system remotely via the Yale Home app, giving you complete control wherever you are. Simple to install and user-friendly, its impressive 1km range extends protection beyond your home to include sheds and outdoor spaces, helping to deter potential break-ins while you’re away. One of the most important steps in home security is ensuring all doors and windows are properly secured before you leave. Smart locks, such as the Yale Linus® Smart Lock L2 or L2 Lite, make this process simple and reliable. 

Through the Yale Home app, you can check your door’s lock status at any time, receive notifications if it changes, and remotely lock your door at the press of a button. For extra protection, window sensors can also be added to your Yale Smart Alarm set-up to notify you if someone attempts to damage or tamper with your windows. 

Installing visible security cameras is one of the most effective strategies, as many burglars are discouraged by the presence of surveillance equipment. Yale Smart Indoor and Outdoor Cameras elevate your home security, providing full HD live streaming, accessible anytime through the Yale Home app. This allows you to keep an eye on your surroundings and respond quickly by alerting neighbours or contacting authorities if anything suspicious occurs.  

To further strengthen your front‑of‑home security, the Yale Smart Video Doorbell lets you see, hear, and speak to visitors from anywhere. Whether you’re home or away, you’ll receive instant notifications when motion is detected or someone rings the bell - giving the impression that someone is always present and in control. 

Together, cameras and video doorbells create a smarter, more visible layer of protection around your home, helping you travel with greater peace of mind.  

Let trusted neighbours know about your travel plans so they can keep an occasional eye on your home. Traditionally, this might involve leaving a spare key, but physical keys can be easily lost. Instead, consider a smart lock such as the Yale Linus® Smart Lock L2 or L2 lite, which allows you to share virtual keys. These can be revoked instantly once you return, offering a more secure and flexible way to grant temporary access. 

Valuables left in plain sight can make your home more appealing to thieves. Avoid placing expensive items, such as laptops or other electronics, near windows or in clear view from the street. For extra security, store jewellery and other high‑value possessions in a  safe or a secure, locked location known only to a few trusted people.