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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Make your home look like a bad choice for burglars.
• Smart locks and leak sensors give you peace of mind.
• Simple steps have a big impact on preparation.

I love traveling, and I want to get away as much as I can. Later this summer I’m off to Spain to catch a glimpse of the 2026 solar eclipse, a trip that already has me buzzing with excitement.

But I’ve also watched Home Alone, and I know that an empty home can attract the wrong sort of attention. I’ve also seen The Money Pit, so I know that things around the home can and do go wrong. If a pipe fails or something catches fire while I’m not there, a small issue can become a big problem.

Also: 25,000 miles later, my favorite Apple CarPlay apps remain functional, reliable, and mostly free

With this in mind, I like to have my tech and smart home ducks in a row so there’s the best possible chance my home will still be there when I get back.

While everyone’s home setup is different, I’m going to share my top habits. I’ve made these tips a little more generic and customized them so they’ll be relevant to my US-based readership (I’m in the UK), making them even more useful to you.

Here’s what I do and why I suggest you do it, too.

1. Smart plugs/smart lightbulbs on randomized schedules

Despite Home Alone’s winter setting, most burglaries occur in June, July, and August; a third occur during the day, and almost 4 out of 10 don’t involve forcible entry.

What’s more, almost three-quarters of burglaries happen when no one is at home.

In my experience, there’s nothing better for making a home look occupied than having smart plugs connected to lamps and a TV, along with smart lightbulbs set to come on at various times of day.

Also: I set up a solar panel security camera in my yard – and the image quality beat my Ring

Try your best to create a schedule that is a bit random. Don’t just have everything come on at 7 p.m. and go off at 11 p.m. because that setup looks obvious to anyone casing the place.

My choice of devices includes TP-Link Tapo smart plugs and smart power strips. 

2. Camera/doorbell check

If your camera or doorbell has a built-in battery, make sure to charge it before you leave for vacation so it won’t go offline while you’re away.

Also, check that video doorbells and outdoor cameras are connected to Wi-Fi and set to send alerts to your phone, rather than recording locally on the device.

You could do what I did and fit a solar panel to your devices, and do away with charging forever.

3. Smart lock tip

If you have a smart lock, you can set up a temporary key or one-time code for any neighbors, house-sitters, or cat and dog sitters that you have, instead of leaving a hidden key. With this approach, there’s no key to lose, and you can revoke access to your home when you’re back.

Also: I installed a $17 solar panel onto an outdoor security camera, and it’s already paying off

If you’ve not bought smart locks yet, Yale, Eufy, and TP-Link make some very good ones. 

4. Fit leak sensors

Water damage sucks. Repairs are expensive, and water-damage insurance claims are roughly three times as common as theft and fire combined. Insurers will do their best to deny your claim if there’s any hint that you did anything wrong (like turning off the heating in winter or ignoring a small leak).

Also: Installing plug-in solar at home? Watch for these 6 expert-backed safety concerns

There are several kinds of leak sensors. You can get little pucks that sense water on the floor and send you a notification, ultrasonic clamps that you put on pipes to detect leaks, and remote shut-off valves that can cut the water to your home.

The pucks or clamps alone are handy, and it’s a good idea to have a few in potential trouble spots such as near water heaters, laundry machines, and behind toilets (anywhere moisture or a small leak would go unnoticed). But bear in mind that all they’ll do is send you a notification that there’s an issue, so it’s a good idea to have a remote shut-off valve too — and sometimes having one fitted can get you a discount on your insurance.

5. Carry out a quick router audit

Make sure your router is password-protected (not with the one printed on the router), and set up a guest Wi-Fi for any neighbors, house-sitters, or cat/dog sitters to use, so they’re not accessing your main network.

Also: Your Tenda router could have a hidden firmware backdoor – disable this setting ASAP

Also, since so much of your digital dominion relies on uninterrupted internet access, connecting it to a battery backup makes sense if you have a UPS or portable power station handy.

6. Set your thermostat to ‘away’

Remember when I said that insurers love to deny water damage claims? Well, one common reason claims are denied is if the damage was caused by frost and the thermostat was turned off.

To avoid this hassle, set your thermostat to a minimum temperature of 55°F/12°C rather than switching it off.

7. Attach a tracker to high-value items

Car, lawnmower, that expensive e-bike, and your dog or cat.  A tracker tag like the Apple AirTag or Chipolo Loop attached to these items or animals can offer peace of mind while you’re away. 

Also: I compared Apple AirTags to competing Bluetooth trackers – including this $2 one

Also, if you use old-school locks, remember to pop a tracker tag on the key you give to your neighbors, house-sitters, or cat/dog sitters so it doesn’t get misplaced.

Bonus: Unplug non-essential standby devices

Pull the plug on the stuff that doesn’t need to be plugged in, such as chargers, power banks, and power tool batteries.

Also: Why leaving extension cords plugged in permanently is riskier than you realize

Also, make sure that any extension cords are unplugged and all appliances are turned off. Not only does this save you a minuscule amount of energy, but it also reduces the risk of an electrical fault causing a fire.

Additional bonus: Lock windows, doors, and garage doors

Remember what I said about four out of ten burglaries not involving a break-in? Well, don’t become a statistic and check that all your windows, doors, and garage doors are shut and locked. 

While you’re at it, make sure that any sheds and outbuildings are also shut up tight.