Whether you’re going on a vacation, traveling for work, visiting family, or something in between, the thought of leaving your apartment unoccupied may be weighing on your mind. Fortunately, learning how to protect your apartment while on vacation ensures you can enjoy your trip worry-free.
Key Takeaways
- Preparing your apartment before leaving by unplugging electronics, adjusting the thermostat, and checking water systems reduces risk and lowers energy use during your absence.
- Securing entry points and avoiding social media posts about your trip helps prevent break-ins, while smart locks, lights, and safes add an extra layer of protection.
- Notifying trusted contacts like your landlord or neighbors, and using tools like security cameras or house sitters, ensures someone can monitor your apartment and respond to issues while you’re away.
Prepare Your Apartment
Preparing your apartment before vacation lowers the risk of any issues or damage. Unplug all electronics, turn off lights, set your thermostat, and check your water. This will protect and prepare your home for a long absence, as well as save energy and usage.
Lock All Entry Points and Secure Valuables
Double check that windows and doors are locked and secured. Another good investment is smart bulbs and locks, so you can turn on lights to make it look like you’re home. If you have any hidden keys, make sure that you take them up and note who has a spare key. Of course, any valuables or important documents should be put away or placed in a safe or lock box.
Don’t Announce Your Vacation Plans
Vacations are exciting and you want to keep everyone updated, so it might seem totally harmless to post about travel plans on social media. However, try to avoid posting anything that says you’re going away or are gone. Sharing to everyone on social media that your apartment will be empty could pose a security risk.
Inform Certain People About Your Plans
While it’s not a good idea to let everyone know you’re going to be away for a while, it’s a good idea to let a few trusted people know you’re going to be gone. The most important person to notify is your landlord. Some landlords have terms in their leases that may require you to let them know if you’re going to be absent for an extended period or have certain procedures that need to be followed. They’ll also know to be on the lookout for any issues or suspicious activity.
You can also let your neighbors know your plans, if you are comfortable with that. They can be another watchful set of eyes. It also helps to let them know if you have any care planned or a house sitter, so they aren’t alarmed by strangers coming and going from your apartment. If you’re not comfortable with asking your neighbors, ask a trusted friend or family member that lives nearby to check in on your place.
Monitor from a Distance with a Security or Doorbell Camera
If you travel frequently or are going on a long trip, purchasing a security or doorbell camera will help put your mind at ease. They’re quite affordable nowadays and some even offer additional security features like alarms or motion sensors.
Secure Your Car
Now that your home is prepared for your trip, don’t forget about your car. If you’re not taking it with you, make sure the windows are rolled all the way up and check to make sure the doors and trunk are locked. If you have a garage, make sure that your car is inside with the unit closed and locked.
If your apartment doesn’t have a garage option, remove all your belongings from your vehicle and place them in your apartment. It’s a good idea to cover your car or avoid parking under trees in case of inclement weather.
Consider a House Sitter
A house sitter might be a good option to protect your home during vacation, especially if you’ll be gone for an extended period of time. You can ask someone you know and trust or hire someone to stay in your house while you’re away. This way, you don’t have to worry about pets, plants, mail, etc. Just make sure you notify your landlord that you’re going to be away and double check that you can have a house sitter.
Get Renters Insurance
One of the best ways to protect your apartment is to have renters insurance that covers all your personal belongings from damage or theft. Though hopefully you don’t have to use it, it will cover your property, whether from theft and vandalism or damage from a burst pipe or storm. Check out Renterverse to find all the information you need to know about renters insurance and what it protects.
This article was originally published on February 2, 2021 by Olivia O’Brien.
FAQs
How to keep an apartment safe while on vacation?
To keep your apartment safe while on vacation, prepare it before you leave by unplugging electronics, turning off unnecessary lights, adjusting the thermostat, and checking water systems. Lock all doors and windows, remove hidden spare keys, and store valuables or important documents in a safe or lock box. Avoid posting about your trip on social media, since it can signal that your apartment is empty.
You should also tell a few trusted people you’ll be away, such as your landlord, a neighbor, or a nearby friend or family member. For added protection, consider using smart locks, smart bulbs, a security camera, a doorbell camera, or a house sitter. Renters insurance can also help protect your belongings in case of theft, vandalism, or damage while you’re gone.
Is it better to leave lights on or off when on vacation?
It’s better to turn off unnecessary lights when you go on vacation instead of leaving them on the entire time. Leaving lights on constantly wastes energy and can make it obvious that no one is home. For security, use smart bulbs or timers to turn lights on and off while you’re away. This can make your apartment look occupied without using electricity nonstop.
