Ten Vacation Travel Safety Tips for Houston Homeowners This Summer

Summer is a popular time for vacations, family visits, and weekend getaways. While planning your trip can be exciting, it's equally important to prepare your home before you leave. A little advance planning can help protect your property, prevent costly damage, and give you peace of mind while you're away.

For Houston homeowners, summer travel also coincides with hurricane season, making home preparation even more important. Taking a few extra precautions can also help reduce opportunities for burglary and contribute to a safer community for everyone. Before you pack your bags, use these vacation travel safety tips to help keep your home secure while you're away.

1. Secure All Doors and Windows

Before leaving, conduct a thorough walk-through of your home and verify that all doors and windows are properly locked. Don't forget less obvious entry points such as garage access doors, side gates, and second-floor windows.

Consider upgrading to high-quality deadbolts, reinforced strike plates, or security doors for added protection. If you have a home security system, test it before departure and ensure all sensors and cameras are functioning properly. Smart doorbells and security cameras can also help you monitor your property remotely while traveling.

2. Make Your Home Look Occupied

One of the most effective ways to discourage burglars is to make your home appear occupied.

Use programmable timers or smart home devices to turn lights on and off at different times throughout the day and evening. Smart plugs can also be used to operate lamps, televisions, or radios remotely. You may also consider asking a trusted neighbor to occasionally move trash bins, park in your driveway, or check your property.

Maintaining a lived-in appearance can significantly reduce the likelihood of your home becoming a target.

3. Hold Mail and Package Deliveries

Accumulated mail, newspapers, and packages are common indicators that a homeowner is away.

Before traveling, consider placing a temporary hold on your mail through the postal service or asking a trusted friend or neighbor to collect it regularly. If you regularly receive online orders, delay shipments until after your return or redirect them to a secure pickup location.

Keeping your mailbox and front porch clear not only protects against theft but also helps maintain the appearance that someone is home.

4. Use Smart Home Technology for Remote Monitoring

Today's smart home technology provides homeowners with additional peace of mind while traveling.

Smart security cameras, video doorbells, motion detectors, and alarm systems allow you to monitor activity around your property from virtually anywhere. Many systems can send real-time alerts to your smartphone if motion is detected or if a door is opened unexpectedly.

Remote monitoring allows you to respond quickly to potential issues and stay connected to your home even while you're away.

5. Prepare for Houston's Hurricane Season

Summer travel often overlaps with hurricane season, which runs from June through November. Before leaving, take precautions to protect your home from severe weather.

Be storm-ready—review our 8-Step Hurricane Preparedness Guide HERE.

Secure outdoor furniture, grills, decorations, and loose items that could become airborne during strong winds. Trim tree branches if needed and clear gutters to help improve drainage during heavy rainfall.

If a storm is forecast while you're away, having a trusted neighbor or family member check your property can be extremely valuable.

6. Review Your Homeowners Insurance Coverage

Vacation season is a good time to review your homeowners insurance policy and ensure your coverage is current. Understanding your policy can help you prepare for unexpected situations such as storm damage, theft, vandalism, or other property-related incidents.

Keep digital copies of important insurance documents and emergency contact information so they are easily accessible while traveling.

7. Prevent Water Damage

Water leaks can cause significant damage if left unnoticed for days or weeks. Before leaving, inspect faucets, sinks, water heaters, washing machine hoses, and other plumbing fixtures for signs of leaks.

Check out our guide on detecting and fixing hidden leaks HERE.

If appropriate, consider turning off the water supply to certain appliances while you're away. Address any maintenance concerns before departure rather than postponing repairs until after your trip.

A few minutes of preparation can help prevent costly water damage and insurance claims.

8. Unplug Non-Essential Electronics

Summer thunderstorms can bring power surges that may damage electronics. Unplug non-essential devices such as televisions, gaming systems, small kitchen appliances, and chargers before leaving.

Not only does this help protect your equipment, but it can also reduce energy consumption while your home is unoccupied.

Keep essential systems operating as needed, including refrigerators, security systems, and smart home devices.

9. Be Mindful of Social Media Sharing

While it may be tempting to post vacation photos in real time, sharing travel details publicly can inadvertently reveal that your home is vacant.

Consider waiting until you return home before posting location updates, vacation photos, or travel plans. Review your privacy settings and limit who can view your posts.

Protecting your personal information online is an important part of home security and crime prevention.

10. Share Emergency Contact Information and Plan for Pets

Provide a trusted friend, family member, or neighbor with your emergency contact information and travel itinerary. Let them know how to reach you if an urgent issue arises.

If you have pets, make arrangements well in advance. Whether you're using a pet sitter, boarding facility, or trusted friend, ensure your pet's needs are fully covered during your absence. Provide feeding instructions, emergency contacts, veterinary information, and any necessary medications.

Having someone local who can respond quickly can make a significant difference if a problem occurs while you're away.

Help Keep the Community Safe

Vacation season can present opportunities for criminals looking for unoccupied homes. By securing your property, using smart home technology, holding mail deliveries, and avoiding public announcements of travel plans, you not only protect your own home but also help reduce crime throughout the community.

Preparing your home before a vacation doesn't have to be complicated. A little preparation before departure can help ensure that when you return home, everything is exactly as you left it—safe, secure, and ready to welcome you back.