How to Keep Your Home Safe While You’re Away

You double-checked your suitcase, but did you double-check your home's security and automation system? Can your house prevent intruders and emergencies while you're away?

Today, you need to do more than lock the doors before you leave. Activating smart home security solutions helps protect your property from break-ins, vandalism, and unexpected issues, such as water leaks and electrical problems.

Our effective smart home technologies make it easy to monitor and manage your property from anywhere.

What Home Devices Should You Automate Before Leaving?

Automating devices in your home can give you peace of mind while you're away. Instead of relying on a neighbor or friend, home automation can check and manage your house regularly and on a schedule you decide, and alert you immediately if there is a problem.

Here’s what to automate before you go:

Smart Lights

Program your smart lights to switch on and off at specific times to create the illusion that someone is home. You can also set randomization patterns for indoor and outdoor smart lighting​ systems to further mimic natural at-home activity to throw off would-be intruders.

Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats work like home energy monitors when you're away. They automatically adjust your house's temperature at certain times of the day and allow you to control it remotely. For example, if the temperature suddenly drops below freezing, you can turn the heat on from your phone to help prevent frozen and burst pipes.

Smart thermostats can also alert you when temperatures fall outside your set range, helping identify HVAC problems before they become costly repairs. For example, if you receive an alert that your home temperature has dropped to 50 degrees when your thermostat is set to 65, it's a clear indication that your heating system isn't functioning properly.

Smart Plugs

Smart plugs can help reduce the risk of fire and lower your electricity bill. Connect devices like coffee makers, TVs, and lamps to smart plugs. Set schedules to ensure devices turn off automatically after a certain time. You can also check in remotely to turn them off at any time, from anywhere.

Smart Curtains and Blinds

Smart curtains and blinds don’t just block the sun. Integrate them with smart thermostats to help regulate indoor temperatures to save more on energy. Smart curtains and blinds can also be automated to open and close at specific times, making it appear as if someone is inside.

Video Monitoring and Geo-Fencing

Set your wireless home security camera system to activate when it detects motion. Additionally, you can easily program a virtual geo-fence around your property linked to your phone, so that when you (and your phone) cross that "fence" and leave for the day, your cameras start recording automatically. Meanwhile, monitor security video feeds and get alerts from your phone.

5 Ways to Secure Your Home While Away

Along with automation, several additional security measures can be taken to further protect your home and prevent property damage.

1. Set Your System to Away or Vacation Mode When You Leave

Set your system to Away or Vacation mode when no one will be at home. These modes will activate smart home cameras and automation routines, like turning off smart plugs or adjusting thermostat settings. They will also activate motion sensors in case a window is open or an intruder passes between rooms.​

2. Install the Best Smart Door Lock

Need to let in a neighbor, cleaner, or pet sitter while you're gone? You can grant temporary access codes or open the door from your phone, without the hassle of hiding and keeping track of spare keys.

General Security also offers the option to integrate your smart locks with touchless video doorbells, which feature AI-driven video insights. This alerts you on the Alarm.com app when someone is standing near the doorbell.

3. Use Water Leak Detectors

Alarm.com’s Water Dragon is a compact, easy-to-install water leak detector that uses ultrasonic technology to detect water leaks and monitor water usage patterns. Once automated, it can monitor pipe temperatures to warn against potential freezing, detect leaks in areas where traditional sensors may be ineffective, and alert homeowners if a toilet is running or for other similar issues.

4. Install Smart Sensors

Motion sensors, door and window sensors, and glass-break detectors will trigger alarms and send notifications to your phone, alerting you instantly when suspicious activity occurs.

5. Try a Floodlight Camera with AID

Alarm.com’s 4MP Floodlight Camera (ADC-V729) has strong 3,000-lumen floodlights. It offers 4MP video and color night vision. The camera also features two-way audio and built-in voice deterrents. This makes it a great choice for protecting your home while you are away. Combine it with AI Deterrence (AID) for video analysis and AI-generated voice messages. This helps identify and address trespassers directly, based on their visible features.

How Can You Monitor Your Home Remotely While Traveling?

The easy-to-use Alarm.com mobile app gives you real-time access to check and interact with your home's security system from anywhere in the world. With the app, you can:

• Enable an Away or Vacation mode on your security settings
• Receive real-time push notifications and alerts
• Review activity history remotely for peace of mind
• Watch live camera feeds
• Use two-way audio to speak through your ​wireless or wired smart home cameras
• Adjust smart thermostat settings
• Control lights remotely

Ready to Keep Your Home Safe While You’re Away?

Leave your house for the day or for weeks with confidence. General Security's home security systems are effective, cost-efficient, and easy for homeowners to control. Contact us at 800-343-2250 or Request a Free Quote to discuss a custom smart security system specific to your property and needs.