How to keep your home secure when you travel

You don’t always need a fully-rigged smart security system to protect your home while you are traveling. A few key pieces can be enough to keep your home secure when you’re away — such as a window motion sensor, a video-equipped doorbell, and a camera or two for indoor and outdoor spaces. 

These devices can be connected to a centralized hub, linked to your Wi-Fi, or can act independently. Home security cameras, such as the Nest, Blink, Arlo, and Wyze ranges, contain motion sensors that trigger an alert on your phone when movement is detected, allowing you to check in and make sure everything is alright at home. Motion sensors placed in the home can also warn you if there is movement in a weak spot, such as at a window or door.

If you have a large home and an office, you might want to consider investing in a full security system to prevent or combat intrusions while you’re traveling. 

While more expensive as an initial outlay, home systems can monitor doorways and windows, detect carbon dioxide or smoke, and can be programmed to automatically trigger an alarm and alert emergency services when you are not at home. You can also often sign up for professional monitoring subscriptions, which watch your home at all hours every day and will alert law enforcement if a home invasion takes place.

In the cases of video doorbells, smart security cameras, and full security systems, you will usually receive stickers as freebies that make visitors aware that you have a security system in place. You can stick them on windows or door panels. Even if your video doorbell runs out of battery or your camera loses its connection while you’re traveling, the warning is still there. 

Also: What are the best home security systems and do they require Wi-Fi?