Closing your home down to go on vacation, can be an equally exciting and stressful time. You want things to be neat for your return, but secure to prevent criminals. So, should you leave lights on when you go away?
According to home security professionals, this common ‘security’ trick is actually inviting criminals in, acting as a flashing neon sign that screams ‘no one is home’.
So, what should you do instead? Here, the experts break down the problems with this common home security tip and offer safer alternatives for your property.
Should you leave lights on when you go on vacation?
Christian Baumeister, head of global sales and business development at Eve Systems explains, ‘Leaving lights on while you’re away can feel like a simple way to deter break-ins, but if the same lights stay on all day and night, it can actually draw attention to the fact that no one’s home.
‘A better approach to securing your home without a security system is to create the illusion of daily life through smart automation,’ he continues.
‘Lights turning on and off at different times, subtle shifts in brightness, or even changing locations throughout the evening. Mimicking natural behavior is key to making a home feel occupied, even when it’s not.’
What to do instead
Create the illusion of someone being at home to deter potential criminals.
Besides the obvious best security measures for a house, such as CCTV cameras, video doorbells, and alarm systems, there are a few ways you can create the illusion of being at home to deter potential criminals.
- Time-controlled lights: Sara Harshbarger, SVP of direct-to-consumer at Brinks Home, says, ‘Automating your lights is a smarter, more effective deterrent than leaving them on all the time. They usually use a mobile app or voice commands to adjust lights remotely based on set schedules, or set them to follow natural patterns like dusk-to-dawn instead of fixed times.’ I personally set up a smart home using the Philips Hue Ambiance Bulbs, available in a starter kit at Best Buy, which allow me to set ‘mimic presence’ and select which lights I would like to use in the home. When I am away, the lights will turn on and off in each room according to my usual usage. The best part is that, unlike timer plugs, the lights turn off and on at different times of the day and in different patterns, rather than at the same time, so it looks like someone is actually at home.
- Automated window treatments: If you want to get really fancy with your home security on vacation, you can invest in an automatic curtain robot from Switchbot on Amazon, that can open and close curtains on a timer. This can make a false presence look even more realistic, especially when paired with an automated light system.
- Trust a neighbor: If you don’t want to automate everything in your home, look to your neighbors. Scott Russell, head of security operations at ProFM Group, shares, ‘A trusted neighbor can keep an eye on your property, pick up post, or move bins to simulate occupancy. You don’t need a house sitter, just someone local who can notice anything unusual and keep your home looking lived in. It’s amazing what a difference a few small favors can make.’
- Avoid posting online: Scott continues, ‘Sharing holiday snaps or check-ins in real time can unintentionally broadcast that your home is empty, to both friends and potential burglars. Even private accounts can be compromised or screenshots taken. Wait until you’re home to post travel photos to reduce the risk. ‘We live our lives online, but so do criminals,’ he cautions.
What to shop
These Govee LED smart bulbs are a more affordable alternative to the Hue system, and can be controlled from your phone and your home voice assistants.
If you do not want to change your existing lights or bulbs, these timer plugs are your next best bet. They will turn your lights on and off each day at the same time.
Keep tabs on people moving around your property with this camera doorbell and CCTV starter kit, both of which can be accessed and controlled from your phone anywhere in the world.
Meet the experts
Sara Harshbarger is Senior Vice President and GM of Direct to Consumer at Brinks Home, a home security supplier.
As Head of Security Operations at ProFM Group, and has over five years in the industry. He lead nationwide initiatives to deliver top-tier physical security solutions across the UK.
With the practical home security parts taken care of, work out how to organize a home before going on vacation so you come back to a fresh, easy-to-manage space.
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