5 Things to Lock Down Before Your Weekend Trip Starts

A small voice in your head keeps asking, “Will my home be safe while I’m away?” even if you’re all packed and ready to go on a weekend getaway. I have also been there. It can be somewhat unsettling to leave your home alone, even for a few days. The good news is that you can truly protect your house and enjoy your vacation without worrying all the time if you follow a few simple, wise actions.

I’ll outline five must-do tasks in this post before you put in your time for the weekend. These are useful suggestions supported by professionals and real-world experience; they are not intricate or costly solutions. Sincerely, your mental well-being is important.

1. Create the Appearance of Occupancy

Look, creating the illusion that someone is home is one of the simplest methods to keep your house safe while you’re away for the weekend. Because there is a much higher chance of being detected, burglars typically avoid homes that appear to be inhabited. Therefore, ask a friend or neighbor you can trust to pick up your mail and newspapers, and occasionally even park their car in your driveway.

Additionally, you may utilize apps or smart timers to program your lights, TV, and radio to switch on and off at various times. You can fool anyone who is observing your house with this little trick. Leading security firm ADT claims that taking these easy precautions can greatly reduce the likelihood of a break-in.

It’s economical and useful, and it provides you piece of mind before you depart, which is why I usually suggest it. Have you ever seen how a house may seem alive with just a few flickering lights on a pitch-black street? You want to make just that.

2. Secure All Entry Points and Conceal Valuables

The number of break-ins that occur as a result of someone failing to properly lock a door or window may surprise you. Spend a few minutes checking all the doors, windows, garage, and even the basement, if you have one, before you leave. Your garage is frequently one of the weakest entry sites, so keep it in mind. Here are seven clever, low-tech, yet incredibly efficient ways to keep robbers out of your garage if you haven’t already. If you can, strengthen weak locks; if not, ensure sure everything is locked firmly.

Additionally, avoid leaving valuables in plain sight, such as cash, jewelry, or essential documents. Burglars are aware of the first place to search. I advise keeping these things in a safe or a secret location that only you are aware of.

Real people providing helpful tips for locking down homes abound in Reddit’s home defense forum. Removing extra keys from exterior locations is a great idea that can save you a lot of grief.

It may seem like a pain to take these precautions, but believe me, it’s worth the work. After all, returning home to an abandoned and ruined house spoils the whole holiday experience.

3. Unplug Risky Electronics but Keep Essentials On

Unplug all electronics and appliances that won’t be used while you’re away before you leave. This helps conserve energy and reduces the chance of electrical fires. Consider items such as your TV, gaming consoles, coffee maker, and space heaters. Uncertain of what should be left on and what should be unplugged? This is a helpful list of ten gadgets that you should always disconnect before traveling in order to conserve electricity and prevent electrical hazards.

However, don’t unplug everything at once. Certain gadgets, such as your security system or refrigerator, must remain operational. Unplugging unused devices can lower your electricity costs and prevent mishaps, claims People.com.

You can avoid serious headaches later by taking this little action. It’s a practice that pays off because I always conduct a fast walkthrough and disconnect before leaving.

4. Manage Pipes, Water, and HVAC for Safety

It’s important to safeguard your home’s HVAC and plumbing systems before you head out for the weekend. An enjoyable vacation might become a nightmare due to water damage caused by busted pipes or HVAC problems. Here’s what I suggest:

• 
  Turn off the main water valve:
  
  This simple step prevents leaks or bursts while you re away. Even a small drip can cause big damage if left unchecked.
• 
  Drain your pipes if possible:
  
  Especially in colder weather, draining pipes reduces the risk of freezing and bursting.

  Better Homes & Gardens

  points out that this can save you from costly repairs.

• 
  Adjust your thermostat:
  
  Don t shut off your heating or cooling completely. Set it to a temperature that prevents pipes from freezing but doesn t waste energy typically around 55 F (13 C).
• 
  Use a smart thermostat:
  
  If you have one, you can monitor and control the temperature remotely. This is great if your plans change or if there s a sudden cold snap.
• 
  Check your HVAC filters:
  
  A clean filter means your system runs efficiently and reduces the chance of unexpected breakdowns.
• 
  Consider shutting off irrigation systems:
  
  Avoid watering your garden unnecessarily when you re not home to monitor it.

Making the simple effort to take these safeguards can save you a great deal of money and trouble. You can finally unwind since you have one less thing to worry about.

5. Use Smart Security Tools and Stay Connected Remotely

With the help of modern technology, we can monitor our homes from a distance. Purchasing a smart security system, if you haven’t already, could significantly improve your peace of mind. See these 10 expert-level security precautions every homeowner should take if you want to go a step further, particularly if you live in a high-risk location or are frequently away from home.

• 
  Arm your security system:
  
  Make sure it s fully activated before you leave.
• 
  Set up cameras you can monitor from your phone:
  
  This way, you get real-time alerts if something unusual happens.
• 
  Use smart doorbells:
  
  They let you see and talk to anyone who comes to your door, even when you re not home.
• 
  Automate lights and alarms:
  
  Schedule them to mimic daily routines, keeping your home looking lived-in.
• 
  Share access wisely:
  
  Give trusted neighbors or family members temporary control if needed, but avoid oversharing access broadly.

Spectrum Asset Management emphasizes how fast notifications and remote monitoring can significantly lower the danger of burglaries. For me, leaving home is less stressful when I know I can check in at any time.

Bonus: Your Weekend Home Safety Checklist Keep It Handy

Let’s face it, it’s simple to forget important little things when you’re leaving on a little trip. An unlocked rear window. There is still a phone charger hooked in. The thermostat was set too high. These aren’t big mistakes, but they can cause unpleasant or expensive surprises when you go back.

For that reason, I’ve made a short Weekend Home Safety Checklist that you may quickly review before turning in your computer. It’s designed to eliminate uncertainty when getting your house ready, whether you save it on your phone, print it off, or affix it to your refrigerator.

This list is about peace of mind, not perfection.

What the checklist covers:

• 
  Home security basics
  
  door and window locks, alarms, and outdoor lights
• 
  Electronics and fire safety
  
  unplugging high-risk devices
• 
  Plumbing and thermostat settings
  
  avoid leaks or frozen pipes
• 
  Communication
  
  informing a trusted friend or neighbor you re away
• 
  Smart tech
  
  reviewing camera settings, alerts, and timers
• 
  Social media awareness
  
  avoiding real-time location sharing while traveling

A smoother departure and fewer stress at the last minute are the results of keeping this list close at hand. You may enjoy your vacation more and return home with fewer worries when your house is set up safely.

Wrapping It Up: Travel Easy, Stay Safe

Protecting your house and your peace of mind are two reasons to follow these five easy measures before you go for the weekend. You can finally unwind and enjoy your trip when you know that your property appears to be occupied, that your doors are securely closed, that dangerous electronics are unplugged, that your plumbing is secure, and that your smart security system is keeping an eye on everything.

Now, tell me about your favorite home safety tip before you travel. Or perhaps you’ve already tried one of these? Leave a remark or tell about your experience. No matter where they are going, let’s make sure everyone is comfortable leaving home.

Have a safe trip!

For more helpful suggestions on maintaining the safety and security of your house, go to Build Like More. Enjoy your weekend getaway and be careful!

Disclaimer: This article’s guidance should not be interpreted as expert security advise; rather, it is meant to be used for general informative reasons. For individualized advice, always seek the advice of a certified specialist.

Contents Table

• 5 Things to Lock Down Before Your Weekend Trip Starts

  • 1. Create the Appearance of Occupancy

  • 2. Secure All Entry Points and Conceal Valuables

  • 3. Unplug Risky Electronics but Keep Essentials On

  • 4. Manage Pipes, Water, and HVAC for Safety

  • 5. Use Smart Security Tools and Stay Connected Remotely

  • Bonus: Your Weekend Home Safety Checklist Keep It Handy

    • What the checklist covers:

  • Wrapping It Up: Travel Easy, Stay Safe

• 1. Create the Appearance of Occupancy

• 2. Secure All Entry Points and Conceal Valuables

• 3. Unplug Risky Electronics but Keep Essentials On

• 4. Manage Pipes, Water, and HVAC for Safety

• 5. Use Smart Security Tools and Stay Connected Remotely

• Bonus: Your Weekend Home Safety Checklist Keep It Handy

  • What the checklist covers:

• Wrapping It Up: Travel Easy, Stay Safe

• What the checklist covers: