How to Make Your Home More Secure Before Going Away on Vacation
Going away on vacation should be exciting, not stressful.
Whether you're leaving for a weekend, taking a family trip or heading away for several weeks, securing your home before you leave is an important part of preparing for your time away.
Many homeowners think about locking the front door and setting the alarm, but home security involves much more than turning a key.
Your front door, back entrance, garage, patio door, basement entrance and other access points all deserve attention before you leave. Even small details — such as an unsecured spare key or a door that doesn't close properly — can create unnecessary security concerns.
For homeowners throughout Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Welland, Port Colborne, Fonthill, Grimsby, Beamsville and surrounding communities, a few simple preparations can make your property more secure while you're away.
Start With a Complete Walk Around Your Home
Before thinking about individual locks, walk around your entire property.
Look at every entrance someone could potentially use to access the house.
This includes:
Front doors
Side doors
Back doors
Garage doors
Garage-to-house doors
Basement entrances
Patio doors
Sliding doors
Shed doors
Detached garage entrances
Other secondary entrances
Homeowners naturally pay the most attention to the front door.
But a less frequently used side or basement entrance may deserve just as much attention.
Check That Every Exterior Door Closes Properly
A strong lock is only one part of a secure door.
The door itself should close properly and sit correctly within its frame.
Check for signs such as:
The door rubbing against the frame
Difficulty closing the door
A latch that doesn't engage smoothly
Excessive movement when the door is closed
Large gaps around the door
A deadbolt that doesn't extend properly
A door that requires unusual force to lock
If you have to push, pull or lift the door to make the lock work, the problem may involve alignment rather than the lock itself.
This is worth addressing before leaving town.
Don't Ignore the Door Frame
Homeowners often focus on the lock and forget about the surrounding door hardware.
The strength of an entry point depends on more than the cylinder or deadbolt.
The door frame, strike plate and fasteners all contribute to how the door functions.
If the frame is damaged, loose or poorly aligned, installing a new lock may not address the entire problem.
A locksmith can assess the condition of the door and hardware and determine whether an adjustment or hardware upgrade is appropriate.
Check Your Deadbolts
Take a moment to operate each exterior deadbolt.
The bolt should extend and retract smoothly.
It shouldn't require excessive force.
It also shouldn't feel loose, jammed or unusually difficult to operate.
If a deadbolt has gradually become harder to turn, don't wait until it completely fails.
A lock that is becoming difficult to operate may be giving you an early warning that something needs attention.
Don't Force a Difficult Lock
If a key is becoming difficult to insert or turn, vacation preparation isn't the time to ignore it.
Repeatedly forcing a key can damage the key, lock or internal components.
There may be several reasons for a difficult lock, including:
A worn key
A damaged key
Lock wear
Door misalignment
Debris
Temperature-related changes
Problems with the locking mechanism
If a lock isn't operating normally, have it assessed before you leave.
The last thing you want is to discover that your main entrance won't lock properly when you're already preparing to head to the airport.
What Should You Do With Spare Keys?
Spare keys are convenient, but where you keep them matters.
Hiding a key underneath a doormat, flowerpot or nearby decorative object isn't a particularly strong security strategy.
Those locations are easy to check.
If someone you trust needs access to your home while you're away, consider using a more secure arrangement.
Depending on your situation, options may include giving a trusted person a key, using an appropriate key-storage solution or considering a suitable keyless-entry system.
The goal is to provide access without leaving an obvious key where someone can find it.
Don't Leave Keys in Obvious Places
Homeowners sometimes leave spare keys in convenient locations because they are worried about locking themselves out.
But convenience and security need to be balanced.
Avoid obvious hiding places around the entrance.
If a trusted family member or neighbour needs access, giving them the key directly is generally more controlled than leaving it outside.
Think About Who Has Your Keys
Before leaving for vacation, think about who currently has access to your home.
Do former residents still have keys?
Does a previous tenant have one?
Did you give a contractor a key months ago?
Does an old babysitter, cleaner or service provider still have access?
If you aren't comfortable knowing who may possess a working key, it may be worth discussing your options with a locksmith.
Depending on the lock system, rekeying may allow the existing hardware to remain while changing which keys operate it.
Rekeying Can Be an Option After a Change in Circumstances
Homeowners don't always need completely new locks when they want to change who has access.
Rekeying changes the internal configuration of a compatible lock so that previous keys no longer operate it.
This can be useful after:
Moving into a new home
Losing keys
Ending a tenancy
Changing household arrangements
Giving temporary access to contractors
Uncertainty about who has copies of existing keys
A locksmith can determine whether rekeying is appropriate for the locks installed on your property.
Pay Attention to Your Garage
Your garage deserves special attention before vacation.
An attached garage may provide direct access to the interior of your home.
That means the garage isn't simply a place to park your vehicle. It can also be another entrance into the house.
Check that:
The garage-to-house door closes securely
Its lock operates correctly
Windows are secured
The garage door closes completely
Remote controls aren't being left somewhere accessible
Side and rear garage doors are locked
If you have a detached garage, shed or workshop, check those doors as well.
Don't Forget the Garage-to-House Door
Many homeowners secure the garage but pay less attention to the interior door connecting the garage to the house.
Treat this door like any other exterior-style entry point.
It should close completely and lock securely.
If the door doesn't latch properly, address the issue before leaving.
This is particularly important because an attached garage can provide another route toward the living areas of the home.
Check Your Patio and Sliding Doors
Patio doors are another area worth inspecting before vacation.
Make sure the door closes properly and that the locking mechanism functions as intended.
Check for:
Loose hardware
Difficulty locking
Misalignment
Damaged handles
Problems with the latch
Doors that don't close completely
Don't rely on a makeshift object placed behind the door as your primary security measure.
If the existing locking mechanism isn't functioning correctly, have the hardware assessed.
Don't Overlook Basement Entrances
Basement doors can be easy to forget because they may not be used every day.
Walk downstairs and check every basement access point.
Make sure exterior basement doors are closed and locked.
Also check basement windows and any secondary entrances.
A home security review should include the entire property rather than just the main entrance.
Secure Sheds and Secondary Buildings
A detached shed may not contain valuables worth protecting in the same way as your house, but it can still contain:
Lawn equipment
Bicycles
Power tools
Garden equipment
Outdoor electronics
Chemicals
Fuel or other supplies
Make sure shed doors and detached structures are secured appropriately.
A locksmith can also help homeowners evaluate locking options for secondary buildings when existing hardware isn't suitable.
Think About Windows
Locks aren't only for doors.
Before leaving, check accessible windows around the home, particularly:
Basement windows
Ground-floor windows
Garage windows
Windows near decks or structures
Windows that are normally left open
Make sure they are fully closed and their existing locking mechanisms are functioning.
If a window lock is damaged or missing, address it before leaving.
Don't Advertise That You're Away
Home security isn't only about locks.
Think carefully about what information you're sharing publicly.
Posting vacation photos in real time can tell people that your home is currently unoccupied.
You may prefer to share photos after returning rather than announcing that the house is empty.
Also consider asking a trusted neighbour to collect mail, packages or flyers.
An overflowing mailbox or several packages sitting outside can make a property appear unattended.
Make Your Home Look Occupied
A completely dark house can sometimes look different from a home that appears lived in.
Depending on your circumstances, consider using timers or smart controls for selected interior or exterior lights.
You don't need to leave every light on.
The goal is simply to avoid creating an obvious pattern that suggests nobody is home.
Arrange for Someone You Trust to Check the Property
If you're going away for an extended period, consider asking a trusted neighbour, friend or family member to check the property.
They can look for:
Unexpected deliveries
Signs of damage
Water issues
Storm damage
Doors or windows that appear open
Other unusual conditions
Give them clear instructions about who to contact if something goes wrong.
What If You Lose Your Keys Before Vacation?
Losing your keys shortly before a trip can create an additional security concern.
The right response depends on the circumstances.
If the keys were lost somewhere you believe they cannot be connected to your address, the risk may be different from losing a keyring that contains identifying information.
If you aren't sure who may have access to your home, a locksmith can explain whether rekeying or replacing the affected locks is appropriate.
Consider Your Entire Key System
If your home has multiple exterior doors, you may have several different keys.
Before vacation, know which key operates which door.
If your household has accumulated a confusing collection of keys over time, it may be worth reviewing the setup.
A locksmith can discuss options for simplifying key management while maintaining appropriate security.
When Should You Call a Locksmith Before Vacation?
Consider arranging professional locksmith service if:
A lock is difficult to operate
A deadbolt doesn't engage correctly
An exterior door doesn't close properly
A door frame is damaged
You have lost keys
You're unsure who has copies of your keys
You recently purchased the home
A patio door lock isn't working properly
A garage-to-house door needs attention
You want to upgrade security before leaving
Taking care of these issues before your trip gives you time to address problems without the pressure of a last-minute departure.
A Simple Vacation Home Security Checklist
Before leaving Niagara for your trip, walk through this checklist:
Exterior Doors
Test every lock
Check deadbolts
Make sure doors close properly
Inspect visible hardware
Secondary Entrances
Check basement doors
Secure patio doors
Check garage doors
Lock sheds and detached buildings
Keys
Remove obvious hidden spare keys
Consider who currently has copies
Address lost or unaccounted-for keys
Windows
Close and lock accessible windows
Check damaged or missing window locks
Garage
Secure the garage-to-house door
Check the garage door
Account for remote controls
While You're Away
Arrange mail and package collection
Consider timers for selected lights
Ask someone you trust to check the property
Be thoughtful about real-time vacation posts
Protect Your Niagara Home Before You Leave: Final Thoughts on How to Make Your Home More Secure Before Going Away on Vacation
Vacation preparation doesn't have to be complicated.
Start by looking at your property the way a stranger might: where are the entrances, which doors are rarely used, who has keys and are all of the locks actually functioning as they should?
Addressing small problems before leaving can provide greater peace of mind while you're away.
For homeowners throughout Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Welland, Port Colborne, Fonthill, Grimsby, Beamsville and surrounding areas, Kevin's Mobile Locksmith provides residential locksmith services that can help homeowners address lock and entry-point concerns.
Whether you need a lock assessed, keys rekeyed, hardware addressed or another residential locksmith service, taking care of the issue before your trip is easier than dealing with a security problem after you've already left.
Before you close the suitcase, take a few minutes to make sure every door, lock and key is ready for your time away.
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