15 Summer Home Security Tips to Protect Your House While Away

Editor’s Note: This blog post was originally published in May 2021 and has been revised to reflect industry updates.

When summer arrives, family vacations, beaches, and day-long outings may be top of mind. Keep in mind that summer brings real, documented risks to your property.

Household property crimes rise every summer. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), household burglary and larceny victimization rates are consistently higher in summer than any other season – with differences between the highest and lowest seasonal rates reaching up to 11%. Source: bjs.ojp.gov

With increased rates of crime in the hotter months, it’s crucial to secure your family and home during the summer. Check out these 15 summer security tips and best practices from General Security and how such methods can be supported by smart home technologies.

1. How Can You Keep Windows and Doors Secure All Summer?

Smart home security systems automatically notify you if doors or windows are left open or ajar — whether your alarm is set or not – so you never have to wonder if you forgot to lock up.

As the warmer weather rolls in, you’re more likely to open windows or leave doors ajar. In the summer months, it’s easy to forget about them, even while packing for a vacation or day trip. General Security’s smart home systems enable users to control various interior and exterior security settings from most mobile device apps.

Should you forget to adjust your HVAC system, smart thermostats can be remotely pre-set to turn up or down at specific times. Temperature sensors also detect extreme fluctuations in outdoor weather. Thermostats from Alarm.com offer Energy Star rebates through most utility companies.

For homes with window air-conditioning units, consider attaching tilt or contact sensors to the windows. These sensors can be connected to alarm systems for real-time alerts should a separation or “tilt” occur as the window slides up during an attempted break-in.

SMART SUMMER SECURITY TIP

Add contact sensors to windows and doors, and don’t forget about tilt sensors when installing window air conditioning units.

2. Why Should You Keep Valuables Out of Plain Sight?

Keeping doors and windows open increases the likelihood that outsiders will spot valuables in your home. Ensure expensive items such as computers, tablets, phones, or jewelry are out of plain sight or stored in safes or other secure locations.

Also be mindful of your vehicles as potential targets. Any valuables should be hidden from view or brought into your home. Do not leave a garage door opener inside your car – especially with an attached garage, these can be an easy target for thieves.

SMART SUMMER SECURITY TIP

Add smart garage door openers to schedule open/close times directly from your mobile device.

3. What Does a Smart Home Security System Do While You're on Vacation?

Smart home security systems provide real-time control and monitoring from any mobile device. Alarm coverage on your home, garage doors, and windows deters potential thieves – and if anything is left open or unlocked while you’re out, you can remotely control it from your phone.

If you don’t require a full security system, you can still purchase and customize smart home devices separately based on your needs.

SMART SUMMER SECURITY TIP

Receive real-time notifications and customize security settings from the convenience of any smart device.

In all of the years except 1995, rates of household property victimization appeared highest in summer and lowest in either winter or spring. Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Seasonal Patterns in Criminal Victimization Trends

4. How Do Security Cameras Help Protect Your Home in Summer?

Consider installing indoor or outdoor security cameras to deter potential intruders while you’re away. This is especially important since theft historically increases during warmer months.

Adding wired or wireless doorbell cameras can provide additional safeguards, such as wide-angle viewing, night vision, motion detection, and video surveillance. These also enable you to remotely answer and unlock doors for a house sitter, delivery person, or other service personnel.

Alarm.com Perimeter Guard™ is another protective option when used with compatible security cameras. Should a trespasser or so-called “porch pirate” attempt to gain access, they will be met with loud whistles, beeps, and red, flashing LED lights.

SMART SUMMER SECURITY TIP

Utilize your mobile device app for remote video monitoring of your home and property.

5. Do Motion-Activated Lights Deter Burglars?

Adding motion-activated lights around the perimeter of your property can be the first line of defense against burglars. These security measures can thwart potential intruders and alert you if someone is moving around outside.

Using security cameras with video analytics provides an additional protective layer. This smart technology includes user-designated virtual tripwires and activity zones to control outdoor lighting or play music when trespassers cross a specific threshold.

SMART SUMMER SECURITY TIP

Add virtual tripwires with real-time alerts should intruders breach designated security thresholds.

6. Should You Post About Vacation on Social Media?

As tempting as it may be to post a photo of you lying on the sand or sipping a cocktail by the pool, wait until you return from your travels to share these highlights online. Keep in mind that your social media followers might include people you do not actually know. If your profile is public, anyone can gain a full view of travel updates you’ve posted – potentially alerting thieves that your home is unoccupied.

Since an empty home provides the perfect opportunity for a break-in, it is best to keep home security in mind before hitting post on a vacation status update.

SMART SUMMER SECURITY TIP

Refrain from checking in or tagging locations of hotels or airports, and switch off phone and social media GPS tracking features.

7. How Can You Make It Look Like Someone Is Home While You're Away?

If you have a smart security system, you can control home protection from anywhere in the world. Consider smart outlets and LED bulbs to schedule when lights or other electronics turn on and off each day. You can also set an app rule to activate smart bulbs should your camera detect outdoor motion.

If you are going to be away for a prolonged period, have your landscaping regularly serviced and watered. You can also remotely manage outdoor sprinkler system watering schedules to appear as though you are home and actively caring for the property.

SMART SUMMER SECURITY TIP

With geofencing, you can create a smart scene to remotely activate multiple devices, such as lights, televisions, and sound systems, at specific times.

As tempting as it may be to post a photo of you lying on the sand or sipping a cocktail by the pool, wait until you return from your travels to share these highlights online.

8. Can a Neighbor Help Secure Your Home While You're on Vacation?

Consider enlisting a friendly neighbor to help with keeping up appearances while you’re away. If they agree, ask them to grab your mail each day, take in garbage cans and recycle bins, and park their car in your driveway. Since it looks as though someone is home, potential thieves are more likely to stay away.

SMART SUMMER SECURITY TIP

Make sure the person responsible for keeping watch on your house is reliable and can be trusted.

9. Find a Reputable House Sitter

If you can’t find a neighbor to mind your home, try asking a friend or relative to stay while you’re out of town. This can put your mind at ease, knowing your home isn’t left unattended and making it appear to unsuspecting thieves as though someone is home.

SMART SUMMER SECURITY TIP

Be sure to inform neighbors someone is staying at your home so they don’t mistake your house sitter for an intruder.

10. What Should You Do With Spare Keys Before Going on Vacation?

It may seem like a good idea to keep a spare key under an object outside, but the risk that someone may find and use it is higher than most people realize. If you insist on spare keys, keep them in your wallet or purse, but avoid attaching your address to them. While on vacation, you may give a key to your neighbor, friend, or relative, so they can check in on pets or other matters. Remember to retrieve spare keys once you’ve returned home.

SMART SUMMER SECURITY TIP

Add smart door locks with mobile alerts to remove worries of lost or stolen keys and inform you if a door is unlocked, ajar, or opened by an unauthorized user.

11. What Is 24/7 Central Station Alarm Monitoring and Why Does It Matter?

24/7 Central Station Monitoring provides professional, around-the-clock home oversight that immediately alerts first responders and local authorities in the event of an emergency — whether you’re home or thousands of miles away.

Investing in a home alarm monitoring service provides peace of mind knowing a professional team is your around-the-clock secret guardian. General Security’s central station holds TMA Five Diamond certification — the highest monitoring designation in the security industry.

SMART SUMMER SECURITY TIP

Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors can also be directly connected to law enforcement via your home’s Central Station Monitoring system.

12. Should You Keep Window Coverings Closed While Away?

Even though you might be tempted to leave curtains or blinds slightly open for extra sunlight, it’s safer to keep these closed when you’re not home. Ensure all windows and doors are properly covered — even with just sheer curtains, it’s still easier for someone to peek in or see through exposed areas.

SMART SUMMER SECURITY TIP

Ensure window coverings provide the highest coverage levels so outsiders and potential thieves can’t see directly into your home.

13. How Do You Secure a Pool, Deck, or Outdoor Area?

Contact sensors can be used to alert if a door or window is breached, sending a real-time alert to your security system. It’s equally crucial to have these installed on outdoor gates, pool decks, and other areas prone to security and safety issues. Since these will be placed outside, opt for tamper-resistant models protecting against harsh weather, vandalism, and theft.

SMART SUMMER SECURITY TIP

Adding smart stove and grill guards with real-time monitoring and automatic shutoff removes the possibility of accidents leading to possible fires, gas leaks, and propane loss.

Investing in a 24/7 Central Station Monitoring service provides even higher peace of mind knowing a professional team is your around-the-clock secret guardian.

14. How Can You Track and Monitor Your Vehicle While Traveling?

Locking your vehicles is just one step of the safety process. If you’re traveling with multiple family members requiring more than one vehicle, it’s also important to monitor their safety and well-being while on the road through a vehicle GPS tracking device.

SMART SUMMER SECURITY TIP

When adding a connected car tracking device, you’ll receive real-time mobile alerts regarding vehicle location and diagnostics, speeding, and other important safety information.

15. How Do You Secure a Garage or Outdoor Shed Before Vacation?

The simplest method of securing your garage and shed is closing all its doors and any side entrances — but this can easily be overlooked in the rush to leave. Smart garage door openers help with real-time security notifications, enabling you to remotely open and close your door from your mobile device and receive alerts if contact and tilt sensors are breached.

SMART SUMMER SECURITY TIP

Smart locks with a uniquely personalized security code can also be used to safeguard outdoor sheds.

Where Can You Get a Customized Summer Security Package?

These tips will help ensure your family and home are secure this summer. If you still have questions, it’s best to engage with a reputable service provider such as General Security for customized smart home security packages to fit your needs and lifestyle.

Contact General Security for additional information and security equipment for added safety throughout the summer months. Request a free quote today!