How to Secure Your Vacation Home

by Pat Pellington | Nov 4, 2024

How should you secure your vacation home? What’s the best security camera for a vacation home? When it comes time to pack up and leave your second home, it’s good to know that it’ll still be safe next time you return. Here’s the ultimate guide to vacation home security, with expert tips on how to protect a vacation property.

Whether it’s a cottage, a beachfront condo or a cabin, your vacation property is just that — a vacation from everyday life. But unlike you, security for that property should never take a vacation.

Technology has revolutionized the way we protect a vacation property, making it both smarter and simpler. With state-of-the-art security cameras that practically set up themselves, and intelligent alarm systems that can notify you with just a ping, keeping your haven safe has never been this easy.

Whether it’s your home away from home or a vacation rental, here’s your guide on how to keep your second home secure. With these tips, you’ll know your vacation home is secure, whether you’re across town or around the world.

Here’s how to protect a vacation property, according to security experts.

It’s true that many of the best practices for a primary property apply to a vacation property. But there are some aspects unique to these properties that require extra attention. Here’s a step-by-step guide to building a security strategy that can keep your second home safe.

Step 1: Assess your property’s vulnerability.

A great security strategy isn’t one-size-fits-all. That’s because no two homes are exactly alike. Each home will have its own vulnerabilities — and it’s up to you to build a security strategy that can solve for those vulnerabilities.

Here’s how to do this:

Conduct a security audit: Take a walk around your property and check for weak spots like unsecured doors, windows, and dark areas.
Consider location-specific risks: Look into local crime rates and think about any natural disasters that could impact your security.
Engage with neighbors: Build a good relationship with your neighbors so they can keep an eye on your place when you’re not around. They usually notice any suspicious activity first.
Review past incidents: Check out any security issues that have happened in your area or on your property before. Knowing what’s happened in the past can help you make better security choices now.

Security pro tip: Many local police departments offer free in-person security assessments. They’ll send a crime prevention specialist to check out your property and recommend some practical improvements, focusing primarily on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles. These assessments can be super helpful in spotting vulnerabilities you might not have noticed yourself.

Step 2: Implement physical security measures

Once you have identified potential vulnerabilities in your vacation property, it’s time to put physical security measures in place. These measures act as physical barriers, effectively deterring intruders and making it significantly more difficult for them to break in or cause damage to your property.

Install qualitywind locks: Make sure all doors and windows have solid deadbolt locks, and don’t forget to secure sliding doors with extra locks.
Secure outbuildings and external areas: Remember to lock up sheds, garages, and other outbuildings just like you would your main home.
Secure perimeter fences: If you have a fence, check for any weak spots or places someone could sneak in. Keep those gates locked and think about adding some prickly plants along the border for extra protection.

Step 3: Incorporate CPTED best practices.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a versatile approach that aims to create safer spaces through smart design and effective use of the environment. In other words, CPTED helps you protect your home by designing it to deter crime naturally.

Keep your property well-lit: Put in some outdoor lighting around entrances, pathways, and parking spots to get rid of any dark corners.
Put up security signs: Having signs that show you have security measures in place, like surveillance cameras or neighborhood watch involvement, can deter criminals.
Think defensively with landscaping: Use thorny plants or hedges under windows or along fences to make it tougher for unauthorized folks to get in.
Keep the landscaping tidy: Regularly trim trees and shrubs near windows and walkways to cut down on hiding spots and boost visibility.
Maintain clear sightlines: Arrange your outdoor furniture and structures so that entry points and surrounding areas are easily visible, which can help spot any unusual activity quickly.

Step 4: Invest in a robust tech-enabled security system.

After checking for vulnerabilities, it’s super important to beef up your vacation property with a solid home security system. Modern systems come with a bunch of features that can help deter issues and give you real-time alerts.

Install security cameras: Place cameras at key access points, such as entrances and driveways. Consider systems with remote monitoring capabilities, so you can check on your property from anywhere.
Add motion sensor security lighting: Brighten up your outside with motion sensor lights to scare off intruders and keep you or your neighbors aware of any movement.
Alarm Systems: A comprehensive alarm system can alert you and authorities to unauthorized entry. Make sure to choose one with a quick response time and the capability to communicate directly with law enforcement. Keep in mind that most police departments do not respond to home alarms without human verification, so be sure to choose a provider that can offer that verification in case of emergency.
Smart Locks: Upgrade to smart locks that allow you to control access remotely. These systems can provide temporary codes to trusted individuals and alert you when someone enters or exits the property.

What is the best security camera for a vacation home?

When choosing a security camera for your vacation home, it’s important to focus on features that provide solid monitoring and dependable performance.

Here are some qualities to look for in your security camera:

High-definition video quality and wide-angle lenses for extensive coverage throughout your property.
Durability and weather resistance for outdoor cameras to withstand various conditions.
AI-powered remote video monitoringA helps prevent crime rather than just recording it. Live guards being able to recognize unusual activity can contact authorities on your behalf — which is especially helpful if you are not physically present at the vacation home.
Night vision capabilities are crucial for security cameras to effectively monitor your property during low-light conditions, ensuring 24/7 surveillance.
Two-way audio systems allow you to communicate directly with anyone on your property, whether it be a guest or an unwelcome visitor, providing both reassurance and the ability to warn off potential intruders.
Mobile app integration enables remote access via smartphone apps, allowing you to view live feeds, receive alerts, and control camera settings from anywhere. This ensures you stay connected and informed no matter where you are.

Security pro tip: Deep Sentinel offers all of these essential features, making it an ideal choice for securing your vacation home. Our AI-powered security cameras meld cutting-edge technology and real-time monitoring by live guards to effectively deter potential threats. Learn more about Deep Sentinel and get a free security consultation here.

Step 5: Establish a neighbor network

Building relationships with your neighbors can be an invaluable part of securing your vacation property. Knowing the people who live nearby means you have extra eyes and ears watching over your property when you’re not around.

Here are some ways to establish a neighbor network:

Introduce yourself: Take a moment to say hi and get to know your neighbors. Swap contact info and let them know when you’ll be away so they can keep an eye out for anything weird.
Join local groups: Check out neighborhood associations or online community forums to stay in the loop on local security issues.
Mutual watch agreements: Think about setting up a deal with your neighbors to watch each other’s homes. It can be as simple as taking out trash bins or grabbing newspapers to make your place look lived-in while you’re gone.
Share security tips: Chat with your neighbors about security strategies. Pooling resources and sharing tips can help boost everyone’s safety!

Step 6: Maintain your property (especially when you’re not physically there!)

Keeping your vacation home maintained while you’re away is crucial not only for its appearance but also for its security. Allowing weeds to flourish, lawn edges to inch over the sidewalk, and grass gone wild scream “nobody’s home” to anyone paying attention. Plus, if your bushes or hedges become overgrown, they’re great hiding places for potential burglars.

Here are some maintenance tips:

Hire a landscaping service: Regularly trim your lawn, bushes, and trees to prevent your property from looking neglected. Overgrown vegetation can give the impression that a house is empty.
Schedule routine checks: Arrange for someone to check on your home periodically. This could be a neighbor, a friend, or a property management service. They can ensure that everything is in order and handle any issues that may arise.
Automatic systems: Consider installing automated lighting, heating, or irrigation systems. These can simulate activity in the house, keeping it looking lived-in and deterring potential trespassers.
Repair promptly: Address any maintenance issues, such as broken windows or cracked pathways, as soon as possible. Delay in repairs can be a sign that the homeowner isn’t around, making it a target for intruders.

Here are some other tips to keep your vacation home secure year-round.

Invest in smart light bulbs you can turn on and off around the clock to make it appear as if someone is home. Be sure to fluctuate the schedule; if they turn on and off at exactly the same time every day, a watchful eye will get smart to that, too.
Keep valuables out of sight. It may seem obvious, but don’t showcase your most valuable assets. Keep smaller electronics, such as laptops, as well as other valuable items — such as a grill — tucked away.
Lock up toys, too. If you’re fortunate enough to have four-wheelers, a pontoon boat, golf cart, fishing boat, etc., be sure to secure the items. And please, don’t leave the keys in the ignition on any of these toys, even if they’re hidden behind a locked garage door or boathouse. In addition, be sure to properly store any ladders, lawn equipment and other tools so intruders can’t access those.
Don’t fall for the fake rock “trick.” While the idea of keeping a spare key in a fake rock, under the welcome mat or above the door frame may be tempting, it just isn’t a good idea. If you insist on having a back-up plan, consider an electronic lock that uses a number code or leaving a key with a trusted neighbor instead.

Upgrade your vacation home security with the most advanced security cameras on the market.

Deep Sentinel is a cutting-edge security solution that brings a whole new level of safety to your vacation property.

Unlike traditional security systems that just record events, Deep Sentinel uses real-time, human-monitored cameras to proactively stop intrusions before they happen. This is especially helpful for vacation homes, which are often left unattended and more prone to break-ins. The system’s smart cameras pick up on unusual activity and notify security personnel, who can directly communicate with potential intruders through live audio to deter any trouble.

Regular security alarms might take minutes — or even longer — to get local authorities involved. But Deep Sentinel’s live monitoring team assess and respond to incidents in seconds, alerting the police if needed. This speedy action not only helps prevent theft or vandalism but also gives homeowners peace of mind, especially when they can’t be at their property all the time.